Rob Dempsey, a beloved Christian radio host, passed away at the age of 57, a week after revealing to his listeners that he had been diagnosed with stage 3 bladder cancer. Dempsey, who was the Station Manager and co-host of the morning show ‘Rob and Lizz’ on HIS Radio, died on October 23rd, as announced by the radio station on their Facebook page.
Dempsey’s death was a result of cardiac arrest, which occurred while he was hospitalized for emergency surgery. His colleagues at the South Carolina-based station remembered him fondly during a broadcast, highlighting his humor, leadership, and positive impact on the community and the station.
Dempsey had been a part of HIS Radio for 24 years, and his sudden diagnosis with aggressive bladder cancer on October 15th had left his fans in shock. Despite the grim prognosis, Dempsey remained hopeful, expressing his determination to be there for his children and grandchildren, and to grow old with his wife, who he described as his rock.
Dempsey’s journey in radio began under challenging circumstances. As a homeless teenager struggling with addiction, he was introduced to Christian radio station WCIE by a youth pastor. One night, a message from the radio host resonated with him, leading him to rededicate his life to Christ and aspire to work in radio.
Over the course of his 35-year career, Dempsey worked in various roles, starting as a volunteer DJ in Tampa, Florida, and eventually becoming the operations and program director for HIS Radio in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. He also battled obesity, losing 140 pounds over the years.
Dempsey is survived by his wife, Amy, their four children, Wes, Amanda, Spencer, and Elijah, and two grandchildren, Jackson and Grace. His son Spencer expressed gratitude for the community’s support and remembered his father as a great man in a Facebook post following Dempsey’s death.