The beloved Christian radio show host Rob Dempsey has died just one week after revealing to the world that he had stage 3 bladder cancer. He was just 57 years-old.
Dempsey Passes Away
Dempsey, and his stories of overcoming personal hardship, was a beacon to millions of listeners.
“Rob Dempsey, HIS Radio Station Manager and co-host of Rob and Lizz in the Morning, went to be with Jesus on Wednesday evening, October 23rd,” HisAir radio station said in a statement posted to social media.
Despite being just 57, Dempsey had been with the Radio Training Network for 35 years.
HisAir’s statement noted that Dempsey “suffered a brief illness and passed away from cardiac arrest.”
His survivors include wife Amy and four children: Wes, Amanda Spencer, and Elijah. Dempsey also has two grandchildren, Jackson and Grace.
The statement went on to gush over who Dempsey was as a person, and his listeners and fans are sure to agree:
‘Rob had more than just a talent for radio,” HisAir radio station stated. “He had a passion for pointing people to Jesus…he shared his faith on air and through every aspect of his life. [Dempsey] was a leader, mentor, encourager, worship leader, innovator, problem-solver, husband, father, brother, and friend. He used his life story to share his faith in God.”
“He loved Christian radio because he was transformed by it,” the statement continued. “[Dempsey] went from being a homeless teen to finding a new life in Christ through a broken radio found in a dumpster. He used his experiences – weight loss, competitive cycling, running, health challenges, being a foster family, and adoption – to give Glory to God. He reminded us often that ‘God is good!’ and ‘Jesus is real.’ We can’t begin to count the number of people who have been impacted and changed as a result of his steadfast faithfulness.”
Find out more about this in the video below.
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Dempsey ‘Made Such An Impact’
Radio hosts at the South Carolina station paid tribute to Dempsey on Thursday.
“He always had us laughing. His fingerprints are all over this place,” one host said. “He was not just a boss, he was a leader, an encourager. He made such an impact to the community and Greenville.”
“We lost him but heaven gained such an incredible person,” the host added. “He’s celebrating with Jesus.”
Dempsey shocked his fans on October 15 when he announced that he had been diagnosed with “aggressive” stage 3 bladder cancer.
“Thankfully I’m at peace today knowing God is in control,” Dempsey said at the time.
“The days ahead will be tough and that’s ok,” he continued. “I am determined to be a dad there for his kids. I’m determined to be that grandpa who will watch them grow up, graduate and get married. I want to grow old with my wife who has been a rock through all of this junk.”
Dempsey had previously said that his start in radio “began as a homeless teenager, addicted to drugs and alcohol” when a youth pastor “introduced” him to the Christian radio station WCIE in Lakeland, Florida.
“One night while leaving a bar WCIE was on the radio,” Dempsey recalled. “I had given up on life. Dave Stewart reached out over the radio. It was as if he was speaking to me. ‘God loves you,’ he said. ‘He will never leave you nor forsake you.'”
“He prayed the sinner’s prayer and at that moment I rededicated my life to Christ,” he added. “Then I prayed another prayer. ‘God, I want to do what that guy on the radio is doing.’”
And that he did.
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Dempsey’s Son Honors Him
Dempsey then got clean and launched a radio career that spanned 35 years.
“He was a great man, and I’m proud to call him my Dad,” Dempsey’s son Spencer wrote on social media after his death. “Today I’m brokenhearted, yet hopeful of this promise. He’s whole, he’s healthy, and he’s dancing with his Saviour. Everything he did was aimed at bringing God glory, and only God knows how many lives he’s touched. I love you dad, I’ll see you soon. Well done.”
Rest in peace, Rob Dempsey.
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