What happened to Bob Rivers? All we know as longtime Seattle radio host passes away at 68

Veteran radio host Bob Rivers passed away on Tuesday, March 11. He was suffering from adenocarcinoma in the esophagus.

Announcing Rivers’ death, The Bob Rivers Show released a statement which read,

“With heavy hearts, we share the passing of our dear friend, mentor, and legendary broadcaster, Bob Rivers. Bob touched countless lives with his humor, kindness, and passion for storytelling. His voice may be silent, but his impact will never fade.”

Bob Rivers had been living in Vermont since his retirement. He and his wife had committed themselves to the production of Maple syrup.

As per The Seattle Times, while in Vermont, Rivers experienced difficulty in swallowing, which eventually led to an adenocarcinoma diagnosis. Adenocarcinoma is a form of cancer that begins in glandular cells and can eventually spread to other organs, according to the Cleveland Clinic. All My Children's Cameron Mathison also underwent treatment for adenocarcinoma (renal). Meanwhile, esophageal cancer claimed the life of whistleblower Mike Rinder.

The Seattle Times report also mentioned that doctors had given him a 50-50 chance. Rivers' treatment after his diagnosis included surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.

In a post on his website in early 2025, Bob Rivers revealed that he had been suffering from cancer for some years. Rivers also shared that when his cancer was diagnosed in 2022, it was stage 3 cancer, which eventually progressed to stage 4.

One of Rivers’ longtime collaborator, Spike O’Neill mourned the radio host in a Kiro News Radio broadcast. O’Neill said,

“Bob succumbed to his long fight with cancer. He was given a six month diagnosis three years ago. And literally squeezed every drop of juice out of life that could be conceived possible. Yeah, an amazing man, an amazing friend…a man who was gracious and brilliant and generous with the mic.”

Bob Rivers’ radio career

Bob Rivers had an illustrious 25-year-long career as a radio host, working for radio stations like 102.5 KZOK, 95.7 KJR, and KISW. He had been a favorite of radio show enthusiasts in the city of Seattle. Some of his popular shows included the Bob and Zip Morning Show, the Twisted Radio Show, and The Bob Rivers Show.

Apart from Seattle, where he spent the most successful years of his career, Rivers had also been a host for morning radio shows in Baltimore and Boston. While hosting morning shows, Rivers aired shows primarily on rock music stations.

In 2023, Rivers was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in a ceremony that took place in New York City.

The Bob Rivers Show which aired from April 1, 2011, to August 8, 2014, according to the show’s website, became one of the biggest successes of Rivers’ illustrious career as a radio show host. The Bob Rivers Show remained on top of radio show rankings almost every year, as per the show’s website.

Known especially for its cheeky yet family-friendly humor, The Bob Rivers Show was also lauded for Rivers’ signature “twisted tunes,” parodies of rock songs. Parodies of songs were notable elements in the mix of skills that Rivers brought to his radio shows. According to The Seattle Times, Rivers’ parodies of songs were aired by not just Seattle’s radio stations but also by radio stations all across the U.S.