Longtime Morning Show Host Passes Away At 76

Former NPR broadcaster Bob Edwards died “peacefully” this past weekend at the age of 76. His spouse, NPR correspondent Windsor Johnston, shared the news of Edwards’ passing on Facebook, stating: “It’s with the heaviest of hearts to share that Bob Edwards passed away peacefully on Saturday night.”

“His daughters Susannah, Nora and I were with him as he took his final breath.”

Edwards, born in 1947, in Louisville, Kentucky, was an influential figure in American radio broadcasting. His journey into the world of radio began after earning a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Louisville. Edwards’ tenure at National Public Radio (NPR) started in 1974, a time when NPR was still in its infancy. He initially co-hosted NPR’s evening news program “All Things Considered.”

“The world of broadcasting has lost a behemoth. Bob was an absolute master at his skill and left an indelible mark on the field of journalism,” his loved ones wrote. “He was a stickler for even the tiniest of details and lived by the philosophy that ‘less is more.'”

“He helped paved the way for the younger generation of journalists who continue to make NPR what it is today.”

However, Edwards is most renowned for his role as the founding host of “Morning Edition,” a position he held from the show’s inception in 1979 until 2004. Under his stewardship, “Morning Edition” became a staple of American mornings, offering listeners a blend of news, analysis, and feature stories.

Beyond NPR, Edwards continued his broadcasting career with Sirius XM Satellite Radio, where he hosted “The Bob Edwards Show” and “Bob Edwards Weekend.” His distinctive voice and thoughtful interviewing style made him a beloved figure among listeners, and his contributions to public radio have left a lasting legacy in the field of journalism.