Bob Edwards Cause of Death and Obituary: What Happened to NPR ‘Morning Edition’ host?
Bob Edwards, the veteran broadcaster who created and hosted NPR’s ‘Morning Edition’ for nearly 25 years, has died at the age of 76, NPR announced on Monday. Edwards, who was known for his distinctive baritone voice and his insightful interviews with newsmakers, celebrities, and ordinary people, passed away on Saturday. The cause of death has not been disclosed.
A Pioneer of Public Radio
Bob Edwards was born in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1947, and began his career as a radio journalist in Indiana and Korea. He joined NPR in 1974, shortly after the network was founded, and became the co-host of ‘All Things Considered’ with Susan Stamberg. In 1979, he launched ‘Morning Edition’, a daily news magazine that would become one of the most popular and influential radio programs in the country.
Edwards was the voice that millions of Americans woke up to every morning, delivering the news, weather, traffic, and sports, as well as engaging in conversations with reporters, experts, authors, artists, and listeners. He covered major events such as the Iran hostage crisis, the Challenger disaster, the fall of the Berlin Wall, the 9/11 attacks, and the Iraq War. He also had regular segments with legendary sportscaster Red Barber, which led to his book ‘Fridays with Red: A Radio Friendship’.
Edwards won several awards for his work, including a Peabody, a duPont-Columbia, and two Gabriels. He was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2004, the same year he left NPR after being replaced on ‘Morning Edition’ in a controversial programming decision that sparked protests from thousands of loyal listeners.
| Name | Robert Alan Edwards |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | May 16, 1947 |
| Place of birth | Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Occupation | Broadcast journalist |
| Spouse(s) | Joan Murphy, Sharon Kelly, Windsor Johnston (m. 2011) |
| Children | Two |
| Awards | Peabody Award, National Radio Hall of Fame |
| Shows | All Things Considered, Morning Edition, The Bob Edwards Show, Bob Edwards Weekend |
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A New Chapter at SiriusXM
Edwards did not retire from radio after leaving NPR. He joined SiriusXM satellite radio in 2004, where he hosted ‘The Bob Edwards Show’, a daily program that featured interviews with prominent figures from politics, culture, science, and history. He also hosted ‘Bob Weekend’, a syndicated show that aired on public radio stations across the country. He continued to produce high-quality journalism and storytelling until 2014, when he ended his show at SiriusXM.
Edwards also wrote two more books: ‘A Voice in the Box: My Life in Radio’, a memoir of his career and his passion for the medium, and ‘Edward R. Murrow and the Birth of Broadcast Journalism’, a biography of his role model and inspiration.
Bob Edwards – A Legacy of Excellence and Humanity
Edwards is survived by his wife, Eleanor, his two children, and his four grandchildren. He is also remembered by his former colleagues and listeners, who have expressed their sadness and gratitude for his contributions to public radio and journalism.
“Bob understood the intimate and distinctly personal connection with audiences that distinguishes audio journalism from other mediums, and for decades he was a trusted voice in the lives of millions of public radio listeners,” NPR CEO John Lansing said in a statement.
“His was the voice we woke up to,” Susan Stamberg, his former co-host, said. “He set the standard for morning news shows, and for public radio.”
Edwards was not only a professional and a pioneer, but also a person of warmth, humor, and curiosity. He had a genuine interest in the stories and lives of the people he interviewed and the listeners he served. He was a master of the art of radio, and a friend to many.
Bob Edwards, NPR’s iconic ‘Morning Edition’ host, dies at 76. He will be missed, but his voice will live on.
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