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Dennis Netto Obituary
Dennis "Erectus" Netto
Resident of San Jose
9/13/49 - 6/13/12
The radio world lost a unique individual on June 13th, when broadcasting legend, Dennis"Erectus" Netto passed away. Dennis was born Sept. 13, 1949 in Oakland to Edward and Viola Netto, who were bringing up his half-brothers, Gary (deceased) and Edward.
Dennis earned his AA from Chabot College and a BA from San Francisco State. He had a passion for music and collecting offbeat TV shows and films which he integrated into his legendary radio shows on the former 98.5 KOME and 92.3 KSJO in San Jose.
Dennis is credited with being the nation's first "shock jock" but the title barely does his genius justice. His radio skits challenged his audience, their knowledge, ethics, and sense fair play. His fan base was phenomenal with his ratings dominating his time slot from the late 1970s into the '90s. He received fan mail from all over the U.S. including crewmen aboard nuclear submarines. His loyalty to KOME kept him from accepting a lucrative offer to join Chicago's highly-rated WLUP. A wild man on the air, the real Dennis was articulate, caring, soft-spoken, highly-educated, sincere, charming, and devilishly clever and funny. He was a truly devoted son to his ailing mother for many years, and was loved and respected by everyone who worked with him. Dennis was willing to give breaks to newbies on his show, and added "student mentor" to his resume as an instructor at The Bay Area School of Broadcasting. He eventually found another outlet for his creative mania, teaming up with his friend "Count Dante" and his Incredibly Strange Wrestling.
Dennis was making a radio comeback in 2006, working behind the scenes with some of his former KOME co-workers at San Jose's 94.5 KBAY and Mix 106.5, when he suffered a heart attack. Dennis beat the odds and survived but was brain damaged. After struggling for over 5 years in a nursing home, his heart finally gave out. A public memorial is being planned for September. Check www.kome.us and the KOME Facebook page for updates.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Dennis Netto
DANIEL GREG KRZEMINSKI
June 3, 2025
KOME 98.5 the kome spot on your radio dial. Don´t touch that dial you got kome on it. Class of 80 Castro valley. We loved you Denise. Thanks for being with us all those years
Paul
July 19, 2021
Dennis you made the graveyard shift fun back in the late 80's.
Miss you!
Sandi
November 8, 2017
Dennis showed me surprising things about which my attitude changed. I thank him for that... and for being one of a kind and a real gentleman. Hope he's at peace.
S R
April 18, 2017
Never to be forgotten. TY for the memories, Radio legend.
Dawn Ward
September 9, 2012
Thank You Dennis for all the Memories! I grew up in San Jose, and you were a big part of that! R.I.P.
Jennifer Wollen
September 3, 2012
Dennis , Thank you, Dennis Erectus! You will be greatly missed, you already are... Loved hearing your voice on the radio---Jennifer Wollen- Belmont,CA.
Dana Jang
August 28, 2012
Dennis, a co-worker, colleague, confidante, co-conspirator, employee, but most of all, a friend. I was honored to have known Dennis on several levels since the late 1970's. I admired his passion in making his radio show theater entertainment to thousands of listeners of KOME and KSJO. His preparation for each show was impeccable. He broke ground in tying in clips of movies and television shows with rock music. His breaks with his various characters took voice acting to another level. His professionalism was second to none as he always arrived one hour before his show started. As a friend, Dennis was loyal, honest and fair. I will miss him immensely and I know radio will miss his talents.
August 28, 2012
RIP Dennis. Thank you for helping me at KOME in 1983. You were the original.
RIP Dennis.
Noah Lambert
August 25, 2012
The swing shift always had Dennis on the radio in our machine shop in Santa Clara. Love that guy!
Ian Abbott
August 25, 2012
Dennis brought wonderful music and unforgettable humor to my high school years. Thanks for everything, Dennis. My world was a better, happier place because of you.
John Sarsfield
August 25, 2012
RIP Dennis. You will be missed.
VAN KOVACS
August 25, 2012
Dennis and I were classmates at the S.F. State Broadcasting Arts Department for two terms circa 1972. Both of us had shows on the campus radio station so we interfaced quite a bit. I always admired his voice. In fact, I employed his talents on a couple of my student TV projects. We went our separate ways after college but I never forgot his empathetic persona.
Steve Lucero
August 24, 2012
Heaven just got a little naughtier... and a WHOLE lot cooler...
R.I.P. Dennis.
Race Wild
August 24, 2012
He got me thought some tough times when I was younger. He made me laugh and to believe in myself.
Connie Hickman
August 24, 2012
Thank you Dennis.YOU are loved...<3<3<3
Heidi Hungenberg
August 24, 2012
A truly unique and irreplacable human being. I grew up with Dennis and KOME in my home every day and I am a better person because of it. Thanks for such great memories Dennis, the world has lost one of its best free-thinking champions.
Gerard Schreijer
August 24, 2012
nyuk nyuk nyuk... Tea time in the backroom, rock the after life!!
August 24, 2012
Dennis, you were simply the best.
Don Hale III
August 24, 2012
You will be missed, Dennis. Your voice, and attitude, influenced a generation to think WAY outside of any box. Rest in peace, my friend.
August 24, 2012
Dennis E., Loved your show and listened to it all the time! I Was a faithful KOME listener all the way back to the days of "The Wolf" ! Sad to see it gone but memories do last! Thank you for it all. Jim Greco, Manteca Ca.
Angie Paris
August 24, 2012
I also grew-up with Dennis Netto. Thanks for all the memories and being a big part of my teenage years on KOME Radio. RIP Dennis Netto <3
HS
August 21, 2012
Dennis was a huge part of my teenage years growing up in the south bay. RIP Dennis, you touched many lives and will be missed.
August 20, 2012
I grew up in the bay area and one of my fondest memories is listenin to his routine about a lobster that loose in the city
J P
August 19, 2012
The radio has never been the same since those days. A true class act that could make you laugh for hours. From Nancy Reagan to the Three Stooges along with great rock music. The dial is still sticky. RIP Dennis
August 18, 2012
Thanks for the good times...RIP
Kim Lewis-Schwenke
August 18, 2012
So many great childhood memories listening to Dennis on KOME. Memories that I will cherish forever. RIP Dennis Erectus. May you Keep On Rockin in the Big Radio Station In The Sky!
~Gloria
August 18, 2012
Rest in peace <3
Diana Creamer
August 18, 2012
God Bless
A-M Bond
August 18, 2012
The Godfather of Shock Jock. You started it all and made us smile, gasp, think and remember you with such great fondness, even after all these years and in our sunsetting years, we will think of you and smile. God bless you Dennis.
Tim Hoctor
August 18, 2012
Cut high school one day in 1980. Went and grabbed my best friend and we went and saw Dennis doing a rally at another school. That day was the single most fun day in my life. RIP Dennis. You were key in making the South Bay in the 70's the greatest place to grow up ever
Daniel Lesage
August 18, 2012
I grew up w/the one and only DENNIS. DON'T TOUCH THAT DIAL THERE (KOME) on it u where a great d j when I was dwn being in teens then u where my man on the radio. Dennis WE SALUTE YOU. RIP
Darlene Katanic
August 18, 2012
Dennis, with his many, many 'KOME' witticisms will sorely be missed by those who knew him and those of us that otherwise, grew up listening to his show. It is such a tragic reminder to us all, as to just how short life really is. My thoughts, prayers, deepest sympathies and condolences go out to each and every one of us that had some sort of connection, however personal or deep it was. '98.5 KOME...Don't touch that dial...' You Guys Rock!!! RIP Dennis -If there's a Rock n Roll Heaven, they were just sent ANOTHER Angel to throw one Helluva Party!!!
Jeff Kasik
August 18, 2012
RIP Dennis.
Thanks for the memories!
Mary Tavish Archie
August 18, 2012
May you rest in peace Thanks for all your time with us . Back in Cupertino 1970s KOME
Hugh Y
August 18, 2012
You had a big impact on me as I was growing up. I will always remember you and your humor. Thank you for being there.
Joe D.
August 18, 2012
My co workers, friends and I never missed his show... His humor and on air antics got us through some pretty rough work days with impossible bosses!
Thanks Dennis !
RIP
You will be missed !
August 18, 2012
Loved you man!
LLoyd Lineen
August 18, 2012
rest in peac....you will be miss...and will be always remembered
August 18, 2012
Thank you for all the laughs, Dennis. You will always be missed. RIP
tommy g.
August 18, 2012
rest in peace. u were remembered. sorry to hear of your passing. it was a shock. radio was certainly enjoyable when i use to listen to you. god bless
Janie Freeman
August 18, 2012
Before I read this Obit, I didn't know about his college education. He was very nice to me always. He was an original. RIP Dennis.
Kathy Egan
August 18, 2012
Many fond memories. RIP Dennis.
Tim Hartzell
August 18, 2012
Rest in piece Dennis I will always remember you but we will all see you in a while Take care Brother...
August 18, 2012
Thanks for keepin' us rockin' and rollin' during our high school years...much luv going out towards the stars to you...you will be missed!!
August 18, 2012
Rest in Peace Dennis--you were a gifted, unabashed pioneer of the airwaves--wish I'd known you better--
gino
August 18, 2012
sleep tight
Lynn
August 18, 2012
Rest in Peace Dennis. I'll always remember when....ROCK ON!
Joe Kelley
August 18, 2012
Rest in Peace,My Brother.
August 18, 2012
Dennis,when I first met you at KOME,I did'nt really know where you were KOMEing from. But I did know,that there was something experimental that would transpire. I knew I had to change my game on my act warming up for you night after night year after year or I would'nt last too long.But we grew to know each other well,& became good friends&cared about each other,I think we dated some girls kind of a spin the bottle thing..I don't remember....
(R-L) Dennis, me, & newsman, Mark Goldberg at KOME March,1982
Jona Denz-Hamilton
August 18, 2012
Dennis was a good friend of mine, one of those people you could really call loyal. His alter ego on the air was so much fun, but it was completely the flip-side of his soft-spoken, caring true self.
Dennis had the opportunity to leave San Jose for a high-profile job on a Chicago radio station about 1980. He chose to stay close to home at KOME, and near his aging mother, whom he cared for over the years. It could have been the opportunity of a lifetime, but Dennis had other priorities. I feel very fortunate to have befriended and worked with this legendary talent.
August 17, 2012
rest in peace,had a great timelistening to you,it molded my sense of humor
aloha
Patty Morse
August 17, 2012
RIP Dear friend! Had a blasgt the many times I met you, and loved goofing off on the air with you so long ago. Thanks for the concert tickets and back stage
passes. You were one of my greatest memories of my youth and a fond San Jose memory!
James Schultz
August 17, 2012
Thank you for the memories.
August 17, 2012
RIP Dennis, you were the wolfman jack of the 70's to us high school kids. We loved your witty humor and your bold comments. Rock on!
Heide Mayer
August 17, 2012
Rest in peace Dennis. I had an awesome time growing up listening to you on KOME.
Kim Pardi
August 17, 2012
I'll always have a KOME spot for you Dennis. RIP buddy.
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