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| Bob Becker |
Becker excelled in many areas of broadcasting, employed continuously in his hometown for 38 years. He was definitely a class act. In an often cutthroat industry, he followed a different approach that valued integrity, humor, civility, and a genuine care for others. Bob was respected and liked by colleagues and listeners alike.
Even as a youth, Bob experimented with broadcasting, launching a makeshift radio station from his childhood home. He overcame a natural shyness to entertain thousands of listeners in an easygoing manner. His love and knowledge of radio also led him to embody a variety of characters and voices.
Bob worked in radio, TV, and film as a deejay, writer, reporter, news director, producer, and on-air talent for such notable Cleveland stations as WGAR, WWWE, WTAM, WERE, WHK, WMMS, M105, WNCR, WKYC, and WVIZ, and was a host with the Ohio Lottery for more than two decades. He accumulated Emmy, Telly, and Silver Apple awards, as well as repeated recognition from the Cleveland Press Club and Cleveland Radio-TV Council.
As dedicated and talented as Bob was in broadcasting, his family was always his first love. He met Luanne Bole at the Cleveland State University radio station, part of a lifelong group of friends that led the station in the mid-seventies. Bob and Luanne forged a unique team from 1974 until his death, celebrating a 43-year marriage and 20-year video production partnership. Bob was an enthusiastic and hands-on dad to their two boys, Christopher and Bryan. He loved them deeply.
After being diagnosed with young-onset Alzheimer’s at age 58 in 2012, Bob continued to impact and improve others’ lives with his help, optimism, and openness. As part of an amazing group of couples that all shared the dementia diagnosis, and an inspiring crew at the Farrell Foundation, he and Luanne did their best to enjoy life to the fullest. Bob’s smile disarmed and charmed us all.
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