Christian radio host Rob Dempsey dies a week after shocking news of cancer

Popular Christian radio host Rob Dempsey has died a week after breaking the news to his devoted fans that he had been diagnosed with stage 3 bladder cancer.

He was 57 years old.

“Rob Dempsey, manager of HIS radio station and co-host of Rob and Lizz in the Morning, visited Jesus on Wednesday evening, October 23” – HisAir Radio Station announced on Thursday on Facebook.

The station also informed listeners that Dempsey died of cardiac arrest after being hospitalized for emergency surgery.

“He always made us laugh. His fingerprints are everywhere. He was not only a boss, he was a leader, a motivator. He has had a tremendous impact on the community and Greenville,” the station’s radio host said during Thursday’s show, according to WMBF News.

“We lost him, but heaven gained such an amazing person. Celebrating with Jesus.”

He has worked at HisAir for 24 years.

Dempsey shocked his fans when he did this announced that he was diagnosed with “aggressive” stage 3 bladder cancer on Facebook on October 15.

“Thankfully, I am at peace today knowing that God is in control,” the devoted Christian radio host assured fans in his post.

“The coming days will be difficult and there is nothing wrong with that. I am determined to be a dad to my children. I am determined to be that grandfather who will watch them grow up, graduate from school and get married. I want to grow old with my wife who survived all this crap.

Dempsey shared earlier His Air that his beginnings in radio “began as a homeless teenager addicted to drugs and alcohol” when a young pastor “introduced” him to Christian radio station WCIE in Lakeland, Florida.

“One evening, as I was leaving the bar, WCIE came on the radio. I surrendered to life. Dave Stewart reached out over the radio. It was as if he was talking to me. “God loves you,” he said. “He will never leave you or forsake you,” Dempsey said.

“He prayed the sinner’s prayer and in that moment I rededicated my life to Christ. Then I said another prayer. “God, I want to do what that guy on the radio is doing.”

After this information was revealed, Dempsey pleaded guilty and began a radio career that would last 35 years.

He began his career in various production positions before becoming a volunteer DJ in Tampa, near his hometown of St. Petersburg, Florida, and later became the director of operations and programming for HIS Radio in North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia.

The longtime radio host struggled with obesity and lost 140 pounds over the years.

Dempsey is survived by his wife Amy, four children: Wes, Amanda, Spencer and Elijah, and two grandchildren, Jackson and Grace.

His son Spencer thanked fans and the community for their support following his father’s death Facebook write on Thursday.

“He was a wonderful man and I am proud to call him my dad,” he wrote.

“Today I am heartbroken, but I hope I can fulfill this promise. He is safe and sound and dancing with his Savior. Everything he did was to bring glory to God and only God knows how many lives he touched. I love you dad, see you soon. Well done.”