Condolences: Bob Coburn, Gregg Scharnau
• The radio industry continues to mourn the loss of longtime KLOS/Los Angeles family member Bob Coburn, a.k.a. “The Godfather of Rock,” who lost his battle with lung cancer at 12:32pm on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2016. Coburn famously hosted the syndicated Rockline for 33 years. Coburn’s passing has elicited an outpouring of tributes from his many friends and fans, including this Facebook Tribute page.
As expected, “Radio’s Best Friend” Art Vuolo immediately swung into action, and within hours of Coburn’s death had dug into his vast video archives to produce a lovely Coburn video tribute. [Photo courtesy of Michael Bloom Photography]
• It is with deep sadness that Townsquare Media Classic Rock KRNA/Cedar Rapids, IA announced the passing of its dear friend and colleague Gregg “The Shark” Scharnau, who died on Tuesday, December 20, 2016 following a courageous yearlong battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 49. His illness had forced him to retire from radio this past July. Scharnau was a Cedar Rapids radio legend, having worked at KRNA for 18 years, 14 of those as PD. In addition to programming KRNA and hosting afternoon drive on KRNA, Gregg also did middays on sister 104.9 KDAT.
OM Mike Ferris said, “Our friend was a loving father of four and a devoted husband to wife, Susan. Gregg was a very private person, and never wanted his illness to become the center of the conversation, which is why the reason for his recent departure in July was never really disclosed to the KRNA or KDAT radio audience.”
In lieu of flowers or gifts, a special memorial fund has been established in the names of Gregg’s children — The Dylan, Lia, Henry and Josephine Scharnau Education Fund has been set up via Hills Bank in Marion, Iowa. For more details, please call 319-377-6066.
