R.I.P.: Radio Columnist Gary Lycan Dies At 68

Gary Lycan

Gary Lycan, whose four decades as radio columnist for the Orange County Register made him one of the preeminent experts on the past and present of Southern California's airwaves, has died.

He was 68.

Lycan had battled prostate cancer in recent years but continued to write his column; the most recent one appeared in the Register on Saturday. He died in his sleep Tuesday, said Hazel Wurfl, his companion for the past eight years.

According to his friend Kevin Roderick who writes a blog atlaobserved.com,  “Lycan was inspired by the disc jockeys, radio personalities, and news-related folks who worked at KFWB, KRLA, and KHJ back in the 1960s. He wanted desperately to join this fraternity. But, his unparalleled talent lay in the written, not spoken, word.

Through his weekly radio column, he became an elder statesmen of this so-called fraternity. Orange County folks learned about the business of broadcasting in a digestible, easy-to-read, and friendly way, which made his readers feel that we were all part of the inner circle.”