Bob Rivers, Renowned Radio Personality, Dies at 68

RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, March 11, 2025

Bob Rivers

Radio Hall Famer Bob Rivers, a prominent figure in Seattle radio, passed away Tuesday morning in New Hampshire after a prolonged battle with cancer. He was 68 years old. Rivers was celebrated for his 25-year tenure on Seattle morning radio, during which he entertained listeners on stations including 102.5 KZOK, 95.7 KJR-FM, and 99.9 KISW. He was particularly famous for his "Twisted Tunes" parodies. Rivers retired from radio in 2014.

Survived by his wife Lisa, sons Andrew and Keith (and Keith's wife Leanne), and granddaughters Hazel and Georgia Rivers, Bob was the oldest of seven siblings. His family includes sisters Beth Doornweerd, Katherine Kenney, Mary Redman, Patty Tedford, and brothers Michael and Richard Rivers.

A private service is scheduled for Friday in Claremont, NH, and a public memorial in Seattle will be announced at a later date.

In a poignant Facebook post dated March 5, Rivers reflected on his diagnosis and ongoing battle with Stage 4 Adenocarcinoma, initially diagnosed on January 5, 2022. Despite the severity of his condition, which had escalated quickly from Stage 3 to Stage 4, Rivers expressed gratitude for his care team at Dartmouth Health and his ability to still enjoy life, stating, "Here I am, still kicking and checking off bucket lists on March 1, 2025."

Rivers' resilience in the face of his illness and his impact on the radio industry will be remembered by many across the nation.