R.I.P.: Bob Kelly, Longtime Toledo Morning Host

Bob Kelly (1941-2025)

Bob Kelly, a beloved Toledo radio personality known for his five-decade career, passed away on his 84th birthday, Thursday, after a 14-year battle with Parkinson’s disease. 

Born Norman Plumer, Kelly was a household name in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan, celebrated for his humor, kindness, and quick wit. 

He began his radio career in Alliance, Ohio, in 1961 and moved to Toledo in 1965, where he became a morning fixture on stations like WCWA, WXKR, WTOD, and WRQN. His most iconic role was co-hosting the “Kelly and Staples” morning show with Dennis Staples on WRQN 93.5, a program cherished for its warmth and community spirit. After Staples’ retirement in 2006, Kelly paired with Becky Shock until his retirement in June 2011.

He was inducted into the Ohio Radio and Television Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2006, reflecting his influence on the industry. Colleagues like Tom Waniewski and WTOL 11 news anchor Jerry Anderson praised his gentle nature and mentorship, with Anderson crediting Kelly as his inspiration for entering broadcasting. 

Listeners and peers remembered him for his ability to make daily segments, like reading the “Mary Worth” comic strip, fresh and funny. His legacy is evident in the outpouring of tributes, with Toledoans calling him an “icon” whose voice shaped generations.