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Charles Jeffers Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Charles Jeffers
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Joe Berwanger
April 17, 2018
I had the privilege of working at WMAJ radio when I was a student at Penn State. My shift ran overnight, so a decided bonus for me was chatting up Tod as he prepared for his show early every morning.
Like everyone who worked there, I was in awe of Tod's epic (and hilarious) story telling. Maybe the only on-air radio performer who came close at the time was Jean Shepherd out of WOR, New York...Hell, maybe Tod was St. College's resident Shep...all I know is, the man could tell a story like nobody's business.
In fact, one morning, as I was digging my car out of foot deep snow in the parking lot, Tod regaled his audience with a description of me out there in jeans and t-shirt, slipping and falling, struggling to scrape thick ice from my windshield and ultimately throwing the scraper across the lot in frustration. Naturally, I could hear all of this on my car's radio, and at one point, I looked back at the building and was shocked to see many residents in the apartments above the studio at their windows, watching me and laughing hysterically.
As the resident kid, I learned much from Tod (and from Croy Pitzer and GM Mickey Bergstein, whose phenomenal sales course on campus turned my broadcast ambitions in a different direction), and will forever owe him. I still remember his early morning coaching sessions and his interest in helping a student.
joel kabik
December 3, 2015
Worked with Tod for several years at Z107 Radio, Harrisburg/Hershey. Tod could make me laugh and was a generous performance partner. Ohhh I could tell ya stories, but ya had to BE THERE...Just learned of his sign off...See ya later Toad. God keep you. Have a couple shots ready for me when I get there!
Robert Ladd
July 23, 2012
I met Tod at BW3 in Reynoldsburg Oh in the mid 90s. I was new to the area,fresh from Tennessee. Tod was like me,in there every night playing trivia. We became pretty good friends. We lost touch when I moved back to Tennessee. I was thinking about him and googled him. Such a tragedy, the world lost one of the good ones.
Jim O'Connor
August 10, 2009
Tod and I were online and email friends for over 15 years, but never got to meet face-to-face. He always had time for his friends and he will be missed. He had a big heart.
Stu Chamberlain
March 24, 2009
The first time I heard of Tod Jeffers I mispronounced his name on the radio. I was filling in at WMAJ on the morning shift between Wendy Williams's departure and Tod's arrival. But he forgave me, and we became friends and even neighbors in Toftrees. Possibly the one printable Tod story came from the annual summer Arts Festival 10k. I was running, and I was surprised to see Tod also there... had no idea he was an athlete. As it turned out, he ran only as far as the beer he'd concealed under a rock.... had a pleasant walk the rest of the way.
The last time I saw him was in New York. He was originating his Hershey show from our studio, and somebody asked if I knew him. I did, and went down to Studio 9, where Tod was presiding. "Why, that looks like Stu Chamberlain's father," he said. Put ME in my place, he did.
I was amazed when WMAJ got somebody as good as Tod. And I'm deeply saddened to hear of his loss. There are far too few good radio guys left, and now there's one less sailor in the West Virginia Navy.
Luanne Russell
March 23, 2009
Vicki and Andy, I remember you both from the State College days. I was the commercial manager at WMAJ when your father started there and though he was a bit surprised to find a woman on the air, we became good friends. I was so shocked and sadden ed to hear of his passing. My deepest sympathies to both of you and your families..he was great fun on the air and off and gave us many memorable radio moments. The world is laughing a little less.
Luanne Russell (WTAE-TV, Pittsburgh, PA)
[email protected]
Mike McGann
March 20, 2009
My dear friend Tod Jeffers will be missed here on earth by those of us who knew him so well. He loved what he did and the people he met. I don't know of many times when he wasn't smiling. We met at Z107 in February of 1983 and have stayed friend all this time. We talked just a few weeks ago about getting together.... We will someday my friend...
Tom Daniels
March 5, 2009
Anyone who went to Penn State in the seventies remembers Tod as the Hilarious Morning Guy on WMAJ, State College. One of my personal favorites to join in was the extremely fun and charitable, Annual Tod Jeffers', "Where The (expletive deleted) Are We?", Road Rally. Good times and Good memories. He will be greatly missed by all.
PSU grad and former WKWK Midday/Production Director now Owner of Tom Daniels Multimedia Productions
Ted Lux
March 4, 2009
Vicki and Andy,
I did afternoons on MAJ when Tod and you came to State College. We've been
e-mailing and when I came to work he was on my answering machine twice. I called back but to no avail.
God Bless You both and your family.
Ted Lux
[email protected]
March 4, 2009
Toad had a million stories, most of them self-deprecating. Here's one of my favorites that he told everyone he ever met. Seems he was a very good athlete coming out of Moundsville High, ended up in the Army (ours) and competed in the Sixth Army's division track meet. He made the finals of the 100-yard dash but was the only white guy in the field. After he finished last, one of his fellow competitors came up and consoled Tod by saying "Don't worry, you're still the fastest white man in the Sixth Army."
Now picture that story coming from Tod's voice with all the well-timed pauses. The man could tell a good story.
Ron Thomas
March 4, 2009
I worked with Tod for nearly five years at Z-107 in Harrisburg. I was only 16 at the time and Tod had a lifetime effect on me. He taught me that you can work and have fun at the same time. As I shadowed him he would tell me things like "Your show is what you make it, not lines you just read off a card." He was so creative. His morning show was always #1. He made it look so easy. I pray that God will fill the void left in the hearts of his family. God Bless!
Larry Fall
March 4, 2009
Tod has been a dear dear friend for 35 years. He was the ultimate story teller and used to enjoy holding court, both on and off the air, while he spun his yarns. He may have passed but his tales will live on as we regularly retell and relive them.
My deepest condolences go out to Andy and Vicky, his two children, and the rest of the Jeffers clan. Tod will be sorely missed.
sara pitzer
March 4, 2009
Tod called me a few days ago. "Do you know who this is?" he said.
"Well, you sound a little like Tod," I said.
We talked. He remembered was just 26 years old when my late husband, Croy Pitzer, (Alan Day on air) hired him for morning drive on WMAJ. He came to town with a pretty little girl in a pink dress (Vikki)and pregnant wife (Andy now). State College, aside from the campus antics, was a pretty conservative town and the radio station was downright stodgy, broadcasting Swap Shop and obituaries and, Tod remembered, Earl Nightingale. Tod brought an infusion of energy, audacity, humor, and above all, a new way of looking at the town. He introduced the Egg-and-Gravy-Soppers Amalgamation of America, and the Hamilton Building Survival Kit, which included hardtack, Rolling Rock, and a copy of Playboy. He pulled some outrageous stunts, which sometimes backfired and left the station with some of that egg on face. The thing was, people started paying attention. And that's what Tod's managed in all the years I've known him since. He got into and out of more trouble in his life than five tamer people could've done. But he always gave us another way to look at the world, and often a reason to laugh. Tod said he was very happy on WKKX in Moundsvile, where he started his career, still doing on air what might seem outrageous elsewhere. He loved the community and they reciprocated. Sixty seven seems awful young for him to be gone, and so abruptly, but he got to leave from a good position, and that's a consolation. sara pitzer
Ruth W.
March 4, 2009
Sorry to see the passing of Mr. Jeffers, he was a neighbor in State College when I was growing up. I can remember his Frog and Toad nick knacks and he always bought our girl scout cookies.
Loretta Jeffreys
March 4, 2009
We were very sad when Tod left WMAJ and our area. Nobody could announce the bloodmobile like Tod. He would intone the day and time of its visit, then, with his vampire voice,"Excuse me, I'd like to make a withdrawal." It is indeed a wonder there weren't more accidents on the road because of his humor. We couldn't see where we were going through our tears of laughter when Tod was on the air. We are still smiling when we think of Tod. His passing is a loss to many communities. Our sympathy goes out to his family and close friends.
Wade Schalles
March 3, 2009
Tod was a lot of things to a lot of people. For most he was warm and charitable, entertaining and quick-witted, inquisitive and forever a Nittany Lion. And my best friend for over 40 years. He had a way of lighting up a room while making everyone in it feel special. The last thing he said to me Saturday afternoon was, "make sure you save me a seat at the NCAA Wrestling Championships. I have; and for Tod there will always be a seat next to me that is reserved for him. For he left a finger print on my heart. Thank you. Rest in peace my dear friend.
Karen Harvey
March 3, 2009
I know I speak for an entire generation of 60s Penn State undergraduates when I say that Tod Jeffers was the only thing that could get me and my roommate up in the early morning. His playing of Stan Freburg clips, his banter with Fearless Fremish, his great sense of humor (always set to 10)--he was one of the best radio hosts I've ever heard. I missed--and will miss--listening to Uncle Toad. Rest in peace.
Patty Crozier
March 3, 2009
I use to listen to Tod on Z107. He was always very entertaining and made the mornings brighter. Broadcasting has lost a very special man.
Condolences to his family.
Rich Davis
March 3, 2009
Fridays during football season were a real joy. Laughing out loud on the way to work down the Benner Pike, and seeing those coming from the opposite direction doing the same. It is a wonder there wasn't an accident. Thank you for the memories, uncle Toad. The best to the family in this time of loss.
Richard Payton
March 3, 2009
A State College, Icon, "The Toad" will certainly be missed. His personallity and wit will always serve as a credit to him as a special individual. Lest we not forget the infamous "Boalsburg Afro". God bless !! Good luck in that big broadcast station in the heavens..
Jeanette Janota
March 3, 2009
My Friday morning routine in the '70s was to listen to Uncle Toady's list of collegiate football games and send a postcard to the station with my prognostications. He dubbed me "Ms Lemont," and I actually won one year.
My condolences to his children.
Polly
March 3, 2009
I loved listening to Tod when he was on the air with Nancy Ryan. Radioland has lost a great broadcaster. My condolenses to the family.
Janeann Lindsay
March 3, 2009
Vicki and Andy,
I was very sad to hear of your dad passing. I have many fond memories of him from our Toftrees Days. Please know I am thinking of you at this difficult time.
Janeann Jackson Lindsay
Terry Nau
March 3, 2009
Tod: There's a great story behind every achievement you made in a wonderful life. It was a privilege to be around you and hear some of those stories, and to participate in a few of them. My condolences go out to Andy and Vicky and the rest of your family.
Steve Wagner
March 3, 2009
Tod was my friend and radio mentor. Our off-and-on professional relationship dates back to 1968 when I was "Fearless' to his 'Toad.' He taught me most of what I know about radio. Dear God, what a loss! These past few years in our working retirement, we communicated nearly everyday and, as people our age often do, chatted about this day, which of us would go first. We just made plans this past week for a radio reunion at his station. I'm sure this is only his way of postponing the gig as he prepares for the Big Reunion where all we radio types will be gathered together for that Big Roadshow in the Sky. Farewell, dear friend. There was never anyone quite like you. Enjoy the time off till we meet again. Eternal love from your eternal pupil. God rest and God keep.
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