R.I..P.: Bob Brandon, Former PA Radio Station Owner

Bob Brandon

The former longtime owner and radio personality of WBUT 1050 AM in Butler, PA has died.

Bob Brandon of Butler passed away this morning; the cause of death is not known, according to WBUT.

Brandon started his broadcast career with WBUT in 1961 when he was still in high school. Bob became the host of the morning show in 1978 at the same time his family purchased the station.

He later became the general manager of WBUT and WLER, and would purchase WISR in 1996, before selling all three stations to the current local ownership.

“My partners and I owe him a debt of gratitude for the strong radio foundation he provided for our group,” Butler Radio Network General Manager and co-owner Vicki Hinterberger said.

After retirement, Bob doubled down on his commitment to the Butler area according to his friend and tourism president Jack Cohen.

“Everything mattered from Butler to him. Out of every sentence he would speak, would have to do something from home because he was passionate about this community,” Cohen said.

“He was a special, special man,” Cohen said.