Saying Goodbye to Bob

Today we will say our good-byes to Robert Levy who never liked to be called Robert or Mr. Levy. He was simply Bob.

By now you know that the popular “Topic A” host died somewhat suddenly last Thursday at the age of 86 which is a loss none of us at WOBM and Townsquare Media were quite prepared for as we thought he would go on forever.

Bob Levy spent 50 of his 86 years on this earth associated with WOBM and while he was never an owner he clearly was the founding father of Ocean County’s first commercial radio station.  His accomplishments have been noted in various forms since his passing including his obituary which appeared in the Asbury Park Press on Sunday.

Bob was somewhat consumed with obits. He and I used to glance at them first thing in the morning for the many years he did his weekday show with wife Marianne on WOBM-AM.  He always felt bad for those whose lives were summed up in just a couple of paragraphs. He also detested those who had really long ones when in truth all that space wasn’t needed.

I think Bob would be happy with his rather long obituary which was written largely by his son Steven but in truth to capture his life they would have needed a couple of pages.

So today those of us who loved him, liked him, admired him, worked with him or just listened to him will gather at Timothy E. Ryan Home for Funerals on St. Catherine Boulevard, just off Rout 37 West in Toms River to pay our final respects.  A memorial gathering will be held from 4 p.m. -7 p.m.. At 6 p.m. there will be a special service during which I will be the first of several to talk about a man who I spent countless hours with over 39 years and who was a friend, mentor and confidant.

Since the weather will likely prevent some from attending we are going to record the memorial service and will share it on our website in the very near future.

Also for those who have asked what they can do in memory of Bob you can make a donation to the Toms River Police Foundation, c/o Toms River Police Department, PO Box 876, Toms River, NJ 08754.  For more on that organization visit TomsRiverPoiceFoundation.org

Someone summed it up best last week when they said “if there’s a Mount Rushmore of Radio” Bob Levy belongs on it.  There will simply never be another person quite like him…ever!