Posted on 09/08/2013 5:07:07 PM PDT by Borges
On Friday, Sept 6, 2013, the world lost one of radio's greatest talents, Don Wade. Don went out as he lived and broadcasted, like a lion. As Dylan Thomas described: "Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage, rage against the dying light." Indeed he did.
After 55 years of broadcasting, culminating in 27 legendary years at WLS, the rock of Chicago, only a devastating health blow could have pried that microphone from his hands. With his adoring wife, co-host and co-conspirator at his side, Don waged a mighty year-long battle against the deadly brain tumor which finally silenced him.
Don's radio career led him from prep school in New Hampshire, to Norfolk VA (while attending William & Mary), Boston MA (while graduating from Boston U), Hartford CN, Buffalo NY, New Orleans LA, Hamilton ONT, Dallas TX, Philadelphia PA, Seattle WA, Tacoma WA, Coos Bay OR, Denver CO, ending in Chicago IL - first at WUSN, and finally to his radio home at the great WLS. 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.
His adoring wife, Roma, and devoted children, Colonel Hunter Hobson and wife Dr. Margy; daughter Heather Hobson and husband Gordon Findlay; brothers Tom Wehde and partner Diane; Raynor Reavis; Ralph Reavis and wife Deborah; and his loving nieces, nephews, and cousins will gather for a private celebration of his life.
In lieu of flowers, any memorial donation may be made to the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, or the Boy Scouts of America.
How sad! May the Lord comfort his family and friends.
Not the guy I wanted to listen to in the morning (probably because of Roma), but seemed like a nice guy to me, nonetheless.
I was listening to him the morning of 9-11-2001. He was one of the first to recognize it as a terrorist attack. He had VERY GOOD monologues on politics.
I listened to Don and Roma for many, many years in the morning on WLS; I even met them once. Great folks.
May God welcome Don into His kingdom, and grant him everlasting peace. And may God bring comfort and solace to Roma and Hunter and Heather, and their family.
RIP Don... Used to listen in the early AM with that Atmospheric Skip thing that AM does, so I could listen in Michigan and truly enjoyed listening to both him and his lovely wife.
Bummer. I still have the Gore in ‘94 button I received at one of his events.
RIP.
I'm just now reading of Don Wade's passing. I remember the morning of 9-11 like it was yesterday, and I remember hearing him talk about the first plane crash into the World Trade Center as I was getting ready for work. He to the best of my knowledge was the first to call it a Terrorist attack minutes before the second plane hit - and confirmed it was.
I started listening to Don and Roma when they moved to WLS Talk-radio and was hooked as a fan instantly. Don always had a way of expressing what it was I was thinking - though he did it much more eloquently than I could.
I'd called their show a number of times over the years and was always put on air. One of my favorite and most memorable (for me) moments was during a call I'd made some years ago, probably 1998'ish when Don was talking about carjackings in South Africa, and how someone came up with a device that literally blasted the would-be carjacker with a flamethrower hidden under the vehicle.
I called in and said that'd be handy device to have to speed up the toll-takers on the Illinois toll roads. If they took too long, just blast 'em with the flamethrower.
Don roared in laughter on air in approval of my comment. Roma thought it was funny too. (It was much funnier if you'd heard the exchange.)
I was also fortunate enough to work literally across the street from their Studios when I worked for Leo Burnett in Chicago. Saw the Wade's frequently in the parking garage where we both parked, and often out at lunch at Smith and Wollensky's or somewhere else.
Mrs. USC and I have greatly missed Don and Roma on the air these past many months, and now I have the unpleasant task of going upstairs and telling her that Don passed away.
Roma’s Fault™. (Most likely).
That he died......or that he was pushing for WJC’s impeachment in 1994?
I woke up to Don and Roma for many years. RIP.
Oh, what sad news. I’d just read the entry on their blog on the WLS site last week about Don and Roma taking a cruise and having the time of their lives. Like Roma wrote, “why not?”
Don was a solid conservative, an incredible wit, and general all-round good guy and exceptional talent. He will be greatly missed.
Awww I listened to Don Wade and Roma for many years. Don was so much fun to listen to. He will be greatly missed.
He died on my birthday. :(
There are too many great things to say about Don... No words can do justice except “THANK YOU.”
I used to call in to the Don and Roma show when I was in that area from 1992-95... Don tended to come across a little coarse, but that was schtick as much as anything else.
I remember when he led the “Gacy Day Parade,” celebrating JW Gacy’s execution.
RIP Don. You’re a legend..
I listened to Don and Roma for years on WLS. His son is a Marine. Don was a true patriot. He had a great radio voice, and kinda looked like Mark Twain when sporting a mustache. Roma played off his schtick nicely and they were a radio twosome for years. She must be devastated as they were joined at the hip. RIP Don Wade. You’ll be missed.
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