Steven Lyle Heller

Steven (Steve) Lyle Heller October 10, 1949 - July 14, 2006 Steve Heller, a longtime resident of Grand Junction and one of western Colorado's best-loved radio personalities, died July 14 at a care center in Denver from complications of Alzheimer's disease. He was 56. Heller was born in Denver and attended two years at Whitworth College in Spokane, Wash., before earning a bachelor's degree in communication from the University of Colorado in 1976. He served in the Army from 1970-1973, doing a tour of Vietnam as a translator and finishing his duty at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs. He married Sherry Robinson in 1968 and they had a son, Paul. Later divorced, they continued to be life long friends. He began his radio career in Lamesa, Texas, and came to Grand Junction in 1979 to work for the old KREX radio doing news and talk. In 1988, he joined Dick Maynard at a new station, KEKB, eventually working as news director and as Maynard's morning-show sidekick on the Breakfast Flakes. The program consistently pulled 33 percent or better ratings in the 14-station market, and once took a 42 percent rating, a figure that made it the highest share of audience by any show on any station in the entire country. Maynard said he and Heller heard people tell them frequently "that they couldn't stand country music, but couldn't afford to be left out of water-cooler conversations all day." Heller was a fixture as public address announcer in the press box at the Junior College World Series and a number of other civic groups, often serving as master of ceremonies at community events. He played the piano and was proud of his high school membership in the National Honor Society and his alma mater, CU. Heller is survived by his mother, Elaine Heller of Grand Junction, his son Paul, grandchildren Ryan and Victoria of Denver, and his brother and sister-in-law, Gregory and Deborah Heller and their son, Matthew of Port Orchard, Washington. A memorial service will be held Friday, July 21 at 1 p.m. in Grand Junction at the Presbyterian Church, 3940 27 1/2 Road. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice and Family Health West of Mesa County.