Friends and family of longtime Bay Area radio icon Ronn Owens have set up a GoFundMe campaign to help alleviate the financial toll he’s dealing with amid “profound” health struggles.
In 2014, the former KGO 810 talk-radio host shared that he had been living with Parkinson’s disease since 2001. In a Facebook post on Tuesday — New Year’s Eve — Owens revealed that life “has thrown a few more punches” his way: four bouts of cancer, most recently colon cancer, and “some serious heart issues.”
“It’s been a rough road, and honestly, it’s hard to admit that the financial strain has become overwhelming on top of everything else,” said Owens, who left the station in 2021.
“For 48 years, I poured my heart into KGO, sharing stories, sparking conversations, and connecting with you all,” Owens continued, saying he never imagined he would be in a position where he would need to ask for financial help, “but here I am, asking for a little help from the community that has meant so much to me.”
This news organization has reached out to Owens or his family for comment and will update this story with any reply.
During much of his time at KGO, Owens was arguably the Bay Area’s most influential voice in radio, as the station was the top-rated radio outlet in the region. Owens certainly was the station’s most prominent host, leading live, call-in discussions with listeners about the most pressing issues in Bay Area news and national news, culture and entertainment.
For much of his time at KGO, “The Ronn Owens Program” aired weekday mornings, making him a drive-by legend, not just here but around the country. He also was elected to both the National Radio Hall of Fame and the Bay Area Hall of Fame.
Owens “was the voice that guided, entertained, and inspired countless listeners on KGO 810,” friends and family said on the page for his GoFundMe campaign, which has a goal of raising $60,000.
“If Ronn’s voice has ever brought you comfort, sparked a meaningful conversation, or simply made you smile, now is the time to show your love and gratitude,” they also said. “Every donation, no matter the size, will help Ronn and his family navigate this difficult time.”
Among those who made very generous donations is former KGO colleague, technology reporter Leo Laporte. “You’ve made such a difference to everyone in the Bay Area, and me personally,” Laporte wrote in a comment following his $1,000 donation. “Hang in there buddy! We love you!”
Walnut Creek City Council member Kevin Wilk also donated $100, writing on Owens’ Facebook page, “You’ve not only been a ‘Voice of Reason,’ but a good person through and through. It’s a sad state of our health care system, that people find themselves in this position.”
When Owens first went public about being diagnosed with Parkinson’s, he said he was moved to do so after Robin Williams’ wife initially reported that the actor and comedian had the disease, SFGate reported at the time. Her disclosure came a few days after Williams died by suicide.
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“I felt it was important to tell people that you can have it like I have for 12 ½ years and not be severely impacted by it,” Owens said about his condition.“It’s possible, and it’s not a death sentence.”
It was later revealed that Williams actually had been suffering with Lewy body dementia, a progressive disease that causes a decline in mental abilities and mobility.
For Owens, he said he kept his Parkinson’s private because “I just cannot stand the thought of people feeling sorry for me.” He also said he didn’t want to be defined by Parkinson’s.
When Owens left KGO in 2021, he issued a statement, saying, “I can’t put into words how much I value the connection I’ve made with so many of you who’ve listened or called in to my show, written emails (and even snail mail!) or posted on my Facebook page.”
“We’ve laughed, cried, gotten angry and been puzzled by the events we’ve seen unfold in the world,” he also said. “Together, we’ve tried to make sense of it all and share ideas as to how we can make things better.
The following year, Cumulus Media, the owners of KGO, abruptly announced that it was ending the the station’s news-talk format. Owens expressed resignation the format change, noting that listening habits have changed with people no longer relying on terrestrial radio to get traffic and weather reports. .