Robert J. Rivers

Robert J. Rivers

Henderson, NV - After a courageous and determined three-year battle with esophageal cancer, Robert (Bob) Rivers left this earth on his own terms in Claremont, New Hampshire on the morning of March 11, 2025.

Bob spent his final night at peace in the comfort of his loving wife, Lisa and two sons, Keith and Andrew, sharing memories and an occasional taste of his favorite, Bob & Lisa maple syrup.

The eldest of eight children, Bob was born in Honolulu on July 6, 1956 to Al and Barbara Rivers, and raised in Branford, CT.

It was there that he found his life-long passion for radio after winning an on-air contest at the age of seven!

True to his nature, it was full speed ahead … subsequently launched a radio station at 14, and conducting on-air interviews with legends such as Paul Harvey, host of the popular "the rest of the story!"

His first paid airshift was at age 16. His passion would eventually carry him to a life-long and successful career in radio, culminating in being inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2023!

Along the way, he became Program Director at station M106 in Claremont, New Hampshire. Taking it from an automated station to album rock, and hosting a morning drive show. By the end of 1981, Bob would marry Elizabeth Berdecki and move to Worcester, Ma where he started to make his mark with parody songs!

Starting with the AT&T Breakup Song…."Breaking Up is Hard on You!", Bob's "Twisted Tunes" parodies became a staple of the Bob & Zip Show on WAAF, which he co-hosted with former M106 colleague, Peter "Zip" Zipfel. The parodies caught on with songs like "Just a Big Ego" and "I Am Santa Claus" were spinning world wide!

In 1987, Bob went onto Baltimore's 98 Rock/WIYY and Within a year, he and the station were on the map with a stunt he created to inspire the Baltimore Orioles. They had opened with season by losing 23 consecutive games! Bob pledged to do a "sit in" and remaining on the air until they won a game! It took almost 259 hours! Bob famously threw out the first pitch. his on-air stunt was Billboard's Radio Promotion of the year!

Bob subsequently moved go Seattle, where he rode the airwaves on three different radio stations! The "Bob, Spike & Joe" morning show entertained and informed of Seattle fans for the next 25 years with Bob's insightful and non-judgmental interviews and scores of hilarious parody songs! His fans fondly remember heading to work in the morning with Bob, Spike and Joe for company!

Ever the musician, when Bob wasn't on the air, he played keyboard including Spike & The Impalers, and Heart by Heart, with founding members and Rock & Roll Hall.

Retiring from Radio in 2014, Bob and Lisa returned to New England, where they first met. Along with his love of nature and hiking Bob soon indulged his curiosity for new endeavors and started making maple syrup.

The enthusiasm and dedication he always endeavored when exploring beekeeping and making honey, or becoming a pilot after years of being afraid to fly, Bob soon produced a top quality product, which is on-going and available while in stock at BobRivers. blog

One of Bob's most memorable gifts was his ability to turn adversity on its head! Upon receiving his diagnosis in early 2022, he was determined to have an active part in his treatment and quality of life going forward. Lisa moved to their final home in Las Vegas to be near his sons and grandchildren, who were living in Seattle and Los Angeles. They chose Las Vegas as it provided ready access to entertaining live concerts. Despite the setbacks of treatment reactions, Bob attended as many live concerts as stamina would allow.

As the end drew near, Bob vowed to check off every item on his bucket list that he could. He gathered fellow musician, friends to record one more Twisted tune, enjoying jam session at Vincent's in Worcester, pizza from Frank Pepe's in New Haven, CT and making a final batch of Bob. & Lisa's Maple Syrup in Vermont. Generous to a fault, he shared his final weeks with as many friends and family members as he could…. Including recording music with his brothers and "Dad/Grandpa" gatherings with his boys.

Bob's radio listeners know that it was always about the "story" he had to tell from the very simple to the most complex. Working on music stations a DJ's first job is to entertain but for Bob there was a message to go along with being entertaining, often it had some humor attached to it and that's what his listeners connected with. Bob left us a powerful legacy that will keep his spirit alive in years to come. That was part of his plan! To find joy and pursue all that life offers with passion, confront adversity with courage and optimism, show compassion and support for those in need, and most of all, love and be loyal to your family and friends!

Bob is survived by his wife Lisa, comedian son Andrew, video director son Keith and his wife Leanne, granddaughters Hazel and Georgia. Also, his siblings … Elizabeth Doornweerd, Katherine Kenney, Mary Redmond, Patricia Tedford, Michael Rivers, Richard Rivers. A private service was held on March 15 in New Hampshire.

The family would like to gratefully acknowledge the constant support and care from the AA community, smartpatients.com, Dartmouth Health and Comprehensive Cancer Center in Nevada.

Donations may be made to Black River Innovation Campus 60 Park St., Springfield, VT 05156 BRIC 501c3image0.jpeg