Condolences: Alan Thicke

This one hit many of us very hard, especially because many of our radio colleagues have described so many pleasant firsthand encounters with Alan Thicke over the years — Thicke, best known for playing awesome TV dad Dr. Jason Seaver in the seminal ’80s sitcom Growing Pains, died Tuesday while doing one of his favorite things — playing hockey with his son. He was 69. In a conversation with The Los Angeles Times on Tuesday evening, Thicke’s son, recording artist Robin Thicke called his father “the greatest man I ever met” and “always a gentleman.” He confirmed that the Canadian-born Thicke had suffered a heart attack while playing hockey with his son Carter, and that one of the last things he said was complimenting Carter on making a nice shot.

“The good thing was that he was beloved and he had closure,” said Robin Thicke, who credited his dad, an accomplished musician himself, with being an inspiration and very supportive of his music career. “I saw him a few days ago and told him how much I loved and respected him.”

Carter Thicke tweeted, “Today I lost my best friend and my idol, and the world lost one of it’s finest. You are a legend and I love you Pops. Until next time.”