Bob James Kevoian Dead at 75: The Bob & Tom Show Co-Founder Dies After Gastric Cancer Battle at Indianapolis Home – National Radio Hall of Fame Inductee (2023), Retired 2015, Leaves Legacy of Radio Comedy.

A Broadcasting Legend Falls Silent

Indianapolis, IN – The voice that woke up millions of Americans with laughter, satire, and irreverent wit has been stilled. Bob James Kevoian, co‑founder and longtime co‑host of the nationally syndicated radio phenomenon The Bob & Tom Show, passed away on Friday, April 17, 2026, at the age of 75. He died peacefully at his home in Indianapolis, surrounded by close friends and family, after a courageous battle with gastric cancer.

The news was confirmed via the show’s official social media accounts late Friday evening, triggering an outpouring of grief from fans, former colleagues, and comedy icons across the country. “With heavy hearts, we share that Bob Kevoian has left the building,” the post read, a nod to the show’s signature sign‑off. “He brought joy to millions and made everyone around him funnier. Rest in peace, Bob.”

Kevoian’s death marks the end of an era in American radio. For more than three decades, The Bob & Tom Show was a morning ritual for truck drivers, office workers, and college students alike – a blend of sketch comedy, celebrity interviews, edgy bits, and the easygoing chemistry between Kevoian and his partner Tom Griswold. Together, they built a radio empire that at its peak aired on nearly 200 stations and reached millions of listeners daily.

From Humble Beginnings to National Syndication

Bob James Kevoian was born on December 2, 1950, in Detroit, Michigan. He developed an early love for radio, listening to morning shows that mixed music with comedy. After stints at several smaller stations, he landed in Indianapolis in the early 1980s. In 1983, he teamed up with Tom Griswold at WRFX (now WFBQ) , and The Bob & Tom Show was born.

What started as a local morning show quickly grew into a regional phenomenon. By the late 1980s, the show had gained a cult following, thanks to its unique format: no music, just talk, comedy sketches, and bits featuring a rotating cast of characters. Unlike the shock jocks of the era, Bob and Tom relied on clever writing, deadpan delivery, and a family‑of‑comedians atmosphere.

The show went into national syndication in 1995 through Westwood One, and by the early 2000s, The Bob & Tom Show was heard in over 150 markets. It became a launching pad for comedians like Bob Zany, Tim Bedore, Heywood Banks, and Kristi Lee (the show’s longtime news anchor). Kevoian’s role was that of the everyman – warm, self‑deprecating, and quick with a setup line for Griswold’s sharper punchlines.

The Golden Years and Signature Comedy

Listeners of a certain age remember the show’s golden era: the “Mr. Obvious” bits, the “Blind Date” segments, the fake commercials for “The World’s Largest Fart” and “The Funky Spud.” Kevoian’s laughter – a distinctive, high‑pitched cackle – became as recognizable as any bumper music. He had a gift for making guests feel at ease, whether they were a‑list celebrities or unknown comedians trying out their first five minutes.

Behind the scenes, Kevoian was known as the show’s heart. While Griswold handled the business side and the sharper edges, Bob was the glue – the guy who remembered everyone’s birthday, who sent handwritten thank‑you notes, who made the interns feel like part of the team. Former producer Dean Metcalf once said, “Bob could have been a therapist. He just had this way of listening that made you feel like you mattered.”

Retirement in 2015: A Graceful Exit

After 32 years behind the microphone, Kevoian announced his retirement in October 2015. His final show aired on December 23, 2015, an emotional broadcast filled with tributes, tears, and, of course, laughter. In his farewell speech, Kevoian said, “I’ve had the greatest job in the world. I got to laugh for a living. But it’s time to pass the torch.”

His departure was graceful and deliberate. He did not want to fade away or stay too long. Instead, he stepped aside to spend time with his family, travel, and enjoy a quieter life. The show continued with Tom Griswold at the helm, joined by longtime contributors, but fans always felt Bob’s absence. A hole remained that no one could fill.

The 2023 Gastric Cancer Diagnosis

In early 2023, Kevoian broke his public silence to share devastating news: he had been diagnosed with gastric cancer (stomach cancer). In a characteristically honest and understated video posted to social media, he explained that he had been experiencing digestive issues and fatigue, and the diagnosis came after a series of tests. “I’m not looking for sympathy,” he said. “I’m looking for a good fight. And I’ve got the best doctors and the best family a guy could ask for.”

Unlike many celebrities who retreat from the public eye during illness, Kevoian chose a different path. He launched a personal podcast project titled “Bob’s Last Laugh?” (the question mark was intentional, reflecting his wry humor). Over a dozen episodes, he documented his chemotherapy sessions, his dietary struggles, his moments of fear, and his unexpected moments of joy. He interviewed fellow comedians, nurses, and even his oncologist, always circling back to the theme that laughter was the best medicine – even when the medicine itself made him nauseous.

The podcast became a lifeline not only for Bob but for thousands of listeners facing their own cancer battles. One fan wrote, “I listened to Bob while sitting in my own chemo chair. He made me feel less alone. He made me laugh on days when I thought I’d forgotten how.”

National Radio Hall of Fame Induction (2023)

In a bittersweet twist, October 2023 brought Kevoian one of the highest honors in broadcasting: induction into the National Radio Hall of Fame alongside his partner Tom Griswold. The ceremony took place in Chicago, and despite his weakened state, Bob attended in person, walking slowly with a cane but beaming with pride.

His acceptance speech was vintage Kevoian – humble, funny, and moving. “I got into radio because I failed at everything else,” he joked. “But seriously, thank you to every listener who ever laughed at one of our stupid bits. You made us feel like rock stars. And Tom… I couldn’t have asked for a better partner. Even if you did steal my parking spot for 30 years.”

Tom Griswold, visibly emotional, responded, “Bob taught me that you can be funny without being cruel. That’s a rare gift. I wouldn’t be here without him.”

The Final Months

Following the Hall of Fame induction, Kevoian’s health fluctuated. He underwent several rounds of immunotherapy and experimental treatments, but the cancer had spread. By early 2026, his doctors shifted to palliative care. True to form, Bob continued to post updates on his personal blog, ending each entry with the same sign‑off he used on the radio: “And that’s the way it is… for now.”

In his final interview, conducted by a local Indianapolis TV station in March 2026, Kevoian was asked if he had any regrets. He paused for a long moment, then smiled. “I wish I’d spent less time worrying about ratings and more time holding my wife’s hand. But you know what? I got to do both. I was lucky. I am lucky.”

Death and Immediate Reactions

On the afternoon of Friday, April 17, 2026, Bob James Kevoian took his last breath at his Indianapolis home, with his wife Diana (to whom he was married for 38 years), his two children, and a small circle of close friends by his side. The official announcement came via The Bob & Tom Show’s social media channels later that evening.

Within hours, tributes flooded in:

· Tom Griswold wrote: “I’ve lost my brother. Radio has lost its best listener. The world has lost one of the kindest humans ever to tell a fart joke. I’ll miss you every morning, Bob.”
· Kristi Lee, the show’s longtime news anchor, posted: “Bob was the first person to welcome me to the show. He made me feel like I belonged. I owe my entire career to his kindness. My heart is shattered.”
· Heywood Banks, the comedian famous for “Toast” and other Bob & Tom classics, said: “Bob didn’t just book comedians; he nurtured them. He gave us a stage and then stood in the wings laughing louder than anyone. Heaven just got a lot funnier.”
· The National Radio Hall of Fame issued a statement: “Bob Kevoian’s induction was a celebration of a life dedicated to making people smile. His legacy will echo through every morning show that dares to be different.”

Fans gathered outside the WFBQ studios in downtown Indianapolis on Saturday morning, leaving flowers, radios, and handwritten notes. A makeshift sign read: “Thanks for the laughs, Bob. Signal’s clear on the other side.”

Legacy: More Than Just a Radio Show

Bob James Kevoian’s influence extends far beyond ratings or awards. He helped redefine morning radio as a place for comedy, not just music and traffic. He proved that a show could be edgy without being mean, irreverent without being cruel. He mentored dozens of young broadcasters who have gone on to host their own shows, and he gave a national platform to comedians who might otherwise have remained obscure.

But perhaps his greatest legacy is the simple, profound gift of laughter. In a world that often feels divided and heavy, Bob Kevoian reminded us to find the absurdity, to laugh at ourselves, and to never take life too seriously – even when life takes a serious turn.

His battle with gastric cancer brought attention to a disease that often goes undiagnosed until it is too late. In his memory, his family has asked that donations be made to the Gastric Cancer Foundation or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, a charity Bob supported for decades.

Funeral and Memorial Arrangements

As of April 18, 2026, the family has announced that a private burial will take place in Indianapolis, with a public memorial celebration to be scheduled in the coming weeks. Details will be shared via The Bob & Tom Show’s website and social media. The family has requested privacy during their initial grief but has expressed deep gratitude for the outpouring of love from fans around the world.

Final Words

Bob James Kevoian once joked that he wanted his tombstone to read: “See? I told you I was sick.” But those who knew him best know that a funnier, more fitting epitaph would be: “He made the morning worth waking up for.”

He leaves behind his wife Diana, his two adult children, three grandchildren, his co‑host Tom Griswold, the entire Bob & Tom Show family, and millions of listeners who will never forget the sound of his laugh echoing through their car speakers, alarm clocks, and earbuds.

The show, as they say, must go on. But it will never be the same.

Rest in peace, Bob Kevoian. Thanks for all the laughs.