The radio industry has just lost one of its core voices.
Ed Walker, a veteran broadcaster and longtime host of the 4-hour Sunday program 'The Big Broadcast' on WAMU-FM, has passed away on Monday, October 26. He was 83.
Following his death, his WAMU-FM family announced the heart breaking news on Twitter and revealed that Walker died not too long after he finished his final broadcast.
"We are very sad to announce our friend Ed Walker passed away this morning, after listening to his final show with his family. #BigBroadcast," the station wrote on Twitter Monday morning.
Reports say that the deceased radio personality, who was born blind, was unfortunately diagnosed with cancer just earlier this year.
Walker, who spent more than 60 years of his life broadcasting, recorded his final broadcast in a hospital room, where he reportedly died three hours after it was aired.
"Goodbyes are very hard to do, especially when this has been a labor of love." he said while recording his final broadcast. "More than anything else, my thanks go out to all the people at WAMU who've helped me over the years."
He continued, "Once again, I thank you so much for enjoying the show and being a part of it over these 24 years."
Before he began hosting 'The Big Broadcast' in 1990, Walker first helped the WAMU-AM radio show create its name in the broadcasting industry back in 1950 and later joined his close friend, Willard Scott in Washington's hit comedy radio show 'Joy Boys' during the mid-1950s to mid-1970s.
"Radio was everything to me, not being able to see. The sound on radio was important." he said. "Radio took the place of comic books and newspapers and the funnies and all that stuff. So I grew up with it."
Ken Mellgren, Walker's longtime friend and former boss, said that Walker "died quietly in his sleep at 2 a.m", adding that "He was in no pain."
Walker's family is reportedly planning for his funeral arrangements, which are said to include a public memorial.
