Veteran San Diego Host Steve West Loses Battle with Cancer

RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, May 12, 2020 | 2:41pm CT

Steve West

Longtime San Diego air personality Steve West has died, reports KNSD-TV NBC San Diego. He was 68. According to KSND, West had battled several types of cancer over the past several years and was very open about his diagnoses, treatments. He was also an advocate for awareness, screenings and early detection testing -- particularly for testicular, prostate and colon cancers.

KBZT-FM (Alt 949) air personality Bryan Schock, a longtime friend, shared the news on West's Facebook page of his death Monday afternoon. "I'm in absolute shock at the moment... shock. It is with an extremely heavy heart that I am letting you know that my dear friend, OUR dear friend, father and my brother from another mother, Steve Vintner, who is known to many of us as Steve West, has passed on from this earth and made his way into radio heaven where he's back hanging out with Biscuit," He added. "My heart goes out to his daughter, Natasha, and to all of his immediate family and friends."

West first joining XTRA-FM (91X) when it launched its Rock format, continuing through several management and ownership changes, remaining there for for nearly 30 years. West left 91X in 2014 and launched his "Legends of the Alternative" show on FM 94/9. He last hosted "Legends" on May 3.

A spokesman for Alt 949 told NBC San Diego that the station is planning a tribute for Steve West and that an announcement will be forthcoming.