R.I.P.: Iconic Chicago Broadcaster Don Wade Dies

Don Wade and Romona (WLS Photo)

For nearly 30 years, the husband-and-wife team of “Don Wade and Roma” entertained and informed WLS-890 AM  listeners with a longevity unique in Chicago radio history.

But on Sunday night, the station’s website shared the sad news from Roma Wade that “my hero, my best friend, my soulmate” had passed away “in my loving arms.’’

According to the ChicagoSun-Times, by 10 pm Sunday , 10,000 well-wishers had sent emails to Roma Wade, said the station’s program manager, Tracy Slutzkin.

Don Wade, 72, and died Friday morning in Florida following a nearly yearlong battle with brain cancer. His condition prompted the couple to step down from their popular morning talk radio show in December to focus on his health.

They were among the longest-running husband-and-wife-radio teams in Chicago. Mr. Wade served as the curmudgeon with a heart to Roma’s softer side. The combination became a linchpin of WLS radio’s programming.

“WLS and Chicago lost an exceptional broadcaster on Friday,’’ Slutzkin told the Chicago Sun-Times. “Don Wade was not only a colleague but a mentor and a very close friend. For 27 years he informed Chicagoland with his unique, entertaining and thought-provoking take on the day’s news.’’

Don Wade & Romona (Sun-Times photo)

Known as a hard worker, Mr. Wade would rise at midnight to prepare for his 5 a.m. show.

His radio career led him to at least 10 other cities — including one in Canada — before he landed in Chicago in 1982 as a morning personality at country music station WUSN-FM (99.5.)

By 1985, he won a spot at WLS, where his wife joined him as co-host.

According to the WLS website, his early talents ranged from rock and roll DJ to hosting a cast of unforgettable politically incorrect comedic characters such as: General Nuisance "gotta go field strip a WAC and polish a bomb" and his aide Private Parts (aka Roma); Sheriff CW Turnipseed; Peter "Kiss! Kiss!" Suckwell, the Mary Gay Cosmetics truck driver, and his best friend Phil McCrackin; Dr Buster Hymen, staff gynecologist at your cervix; Cabbie/Guru Maharishi Marachino; 101-"Wheeze"-year old Creak Lumbago; the Stoned Ranger and Toronto, etc.

When WLSam changed from a music format to Talk Radio in 1989, Don Wade and Roma were the only air talent asked to remain and try their skill at becoming morning talk show hosts.  Suddenly Don's rapier wit, piercing analysis and passionate oratory roared to the surface.  He was a natural.  Agree or disagree, listeners were riveted to his thought-provoking, persuasive, even maddening dissections of the world around him.  Don and Roma's combination of brain food and joyous laughter became addictive for hundreds of thousands of loyal broadcast and internet listeners around the globe.  They were a "family" of morning friends through good times and bad.