Thank You, Walt Bodine

Walt Bodine “was us,” said Monroe Dodd, a long-time friend and colleague of the legendary newsman, who died last week at 92. Speaking at a packed memorial service this afternoon at Unity Temple on the Plaza, Dodd said Walt had remarkable insights. “He’d toss (them) into the conversation in the form of questions ... they were like firecrackers.”

Legendary broadcaster Walt Bodine died on Sunday, March 24, at the age of 92. Today on Central Standard, we remember Walt with familiar sounds of regular guests, old friends, and of course, Walt Bodine.

KCUR received many emails, online comments, phone calls, tweets and Facebook comments in the wake of the death of legendary journalist Walt Bodine last Sunday. Bodine was 92, and for 72 years he was a beloved Kansas City mainstay. His journalistic integrity and conversational skills made a huge impact on his listeners and on the Kansas City community.

A memorial service, a celebration of Bodine's amazing life, is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m., Saturday, March 30, 2013, at Unity Temple on the Plaza, 707 W. 47th St., Kansas City, Mo.

Walt Bodine, legendary Kansas City broadcaster and icon of the city, died Sunday at the age of 92. To celebrate the life and career of Bodine, Central Standard invites his fans, friends and colleagues to call in and share their memories of former Walt Bodine Show host both on and off the air.

Today, we're talking about memories of KCUR's Walt Bodine.

Walt Bodine was an aristocrat among newsmen and a friend to the people of Kansas City. The long-time journalist, author and talk show host died early Sunday morning. He was 92.

As a reporter, Walt always got the story, and he usually got it first. He wrote like a poet.

This is how he described Truman’s visit to Kansas City during the 1951 floods:

Longtime journalist, author and talk show host Walt Bodine died early Sunday morning. He was 92.

Thank you all for joining KCUR this Friday morning at 10 a.m. for the very last Walt Bodine Show, and showing such outstanding support for Walt, and his contributions to local journalism.

Walt was join for the hour by his friends Monroe Dodd, Charles Ferruzza and Russ Simmons. The three have known Walt over the years as regular guests and co-hosts, and will talk with Walt today about his influence in Kansas City.

Walt Bodine's final show has inspired a lot of emotions and fond farewells, including this haiku from longtime listener Greg Hack.

A colorful era in the world of local media ends this week.  Walt Bodine retires after a more than 7 decades in the business.

After 72 years as a broadcaster, at the age of 91, Walt Bodine is heading into full retirement. The end of an era approaches; the very last Walt Bodine Show will take place this Friday. What can anyone say to that?

Join us Thursday morning at 10, as Charles Ferruzza presents an audio documentary about Walt Bodine, originally titled, "To Kansas City, With Love."