I was sad to learn last week that Bumper had passed away. I had not seen him in years. The last time I did see him was out at South Park. He went up on stage to introduce the Spinners. As the band began to play Bumper came down the steps backstage, walked over to the corner and began to read to himslef the Bible he cradeled in his hands.
The Post Gazette ran he obituary. For all you Pittsburgh radio fans here it is:
Bumper Morgan lived the classic radio personality's life -- moving from
station to station -- sometimes returning to the same ones for a second stint.
He worked in major markets, including New York City on WNBC, where he
was on the same station lineup with Howard Stern and Don Imus. But he also spent
a good portion of his career on the local airwaves.
His real name was
Frederick Merrin and he lived in Richland. He died Wednesday after suffering a
heart attack at the age of 57.
The Endicott, N.Y. native's radio career spanned more than 30 years. He
started on WKOP-FM in Binghamton, N.Y., and quickly moved to the number one
market, New York.
As Bumper Morgan, Mr. Merrin was a well-known and popular
figure in Pittsburgh radio throughout the 1980s and '90s, working morning and
afternoon drive shifts on several stations, including WWSW-FM, WSHH-FM, and the
former WJJJ-FM, WVTY-FM and WHTX-FM.
Most recently, he was station manager for Christian station WWNL-AM. He
arrived in Pittsburgh in 1984 to work for WWSW. Mr. Merrin did a lot of work
outside the market, including filling in for Casey Kasem on "American Top 40"
and voice-overs for the BBC. He also did voice-overs and promos for local sports
teams, TV and radio stations.
He appeared on stage in a Civic Light Opera production of "Grease." He
seemed at home in different formats, from adult contemporary to contemporary
hits to oldies and country. Mr. Merrin had a resonant, deep voice that was
perfectly suited to radio. But that voice belied a quieter, private, off-mike
personality, said colleague Chris Shovlin, news/sports anchor at WJAS-AM who
worked with him on the WSHH morning show: "He was very soft-spoken, just a
stand-up guy."
Kenny Woods, operations manager at WORD-FM, worked with Mr. Merrin at
WWSW.
"He was a kind and gentle soul with a big voice that rivaled the best
in the country," Mr. Woods said. "Behind the scenes, he was the best -- a true
witness to his Christian beliefs and a great friend."
WWSW afternoon host
Mike Frazer grew up listening to Mr. Merrin in New York. Since then, their paths
here crossed several times.
"In an often harsh world, and the harsh business that radio is, this
was a gentle giant," Frazer said. "Nobody had anything bad to say about him. He
was this big teddy bear of a guy, very lovable, very family oriented. His wife
and kids were his life."
He is survived by his wife, Anne; two daughters, Candace Lucas, of
Roanoke, Va.; and Barbara Merrin, of Norrisville, Md.; and three grandchildren.
Services will be private.
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