Posted on 01/15/2011 9:59:21 AM PST by rawhide
Raymond Royal Marshall, sidekick and engineer for syndicated talk show host Neal Boortz, has died.
Pete Spriggs, program director for AM750 and now 95.5 FM News/Talk WSB, said he collapsed at his Atlanta home and was pronounced dead at Grady Hospital at about 1 a.m. early Saturday morning.
Assistant Program Director Condace Pressley said it was too soon to pinpoint cause of death. He was 43.
“He was a good man,” she said. “I can’t believe he’s gone.”
Marshall has worked with Boortz for 17 years, according to the WSB Radio biography for Marshall.
A St. Louis native and graduate of the University of Georgia in 1992, he got his start at WSB Radio as a board operator working overnights. Soon after, he joined Boortz as engineer and board operator.
In 1996, he started his own radio talk show called “The Royal Treatment,” which ran for several years, mostly at night.
After his show ended, he continued to work with Boortz, who is heard on hundreds of stations nationwide.
“There are no words available to express my personal sense of loss at the passing of Royal Marshall,” Boortz said in a statement released this morning. “It’s no stretch to say that I loved that man like he was my own brother. Royal had an unmatched sense of humor and a quick mind that made him a natural for radio, and his dedication to his colleagues and friends was only exceeded by his intense dedication to his family. Our program, WSB Radio and the entire Cox family has lost part of its very soul this day.”
(Excerpt) Read more at blogs.ajc.com ...
Just a reminder that our lives hang on a very thin thread. Goodbye, Royal. RIP.
So sad :(
My prayers for all.
Rest In Peace, Royal. We'll treasure your memory.
What terrible news! Condolences to his family and to Neil, as well.
Prayers
Ain't it so, windsorknot. Reminds me to do something wonderful each day. RIP Royal.
So sad and shocking. Royal was the best part of the Boortz show.
RIP Royal. You were a good man. Prayers for Royal and his family. Lord, you just picked up a great sidekick.
That is sad news, I enjoy Neals’ show and Royal was a great part of it.
This is terrible news. He was a fantastic engineer and board op and a radio personality in his own right. Royal was a lot of fun to listen and he always had a fresh perspective on what Neal had to say. Condolences to his family, friends, and peers on Boortz’s program.
Lots of comments and tributes...
http://boortz.com/nealz_nuze/2011/01/remembering-royal-marshall.html#comments
Royal leaves a wife and two daughters aged 4 and 2. So sad.
I met him briefly when he did a remote radio gig for WSB at the stereo store where I worked.
A fine man.
I enjoyed his "Royal Treatment" show as weel and I'll never tire of his hilarious translation of "Boo Got Shot!".
Right now, WSB is remembering Royal. Clark Howard and others are on the air, and Neal just called in. Neal was so choked up, he could barely speak at the beginning. He thought of Royal as a brother (his wife Donna said he was more like the son Neal never had). If you want to listen live, go here:
http://www.wsbradio.com and click on the Listen Live link.
43???!!! What in the world!!??
We must trust in God’s plan.
Rest in peace, Royal. You will be missed. :(
I loved Royal’s “translation” of Boo Got Shot. HILARIOUS! Did you ever hear it?.....
Royal would occasionally sub for Neal. What a voice and and honest perspective! Mercy, the world is getting turned upside down. Look forward to meeting Royal some where/when. Good man, good friend to Neal.
A total classic. What a terrible loss this is.
That was funny!
What a shock over such a young man’s passing (I remember when 43 sounded ancient). He was an asset to Boortz’s show and will definitely be missed.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.