Local radio force dies at 52

Drew Rashbaum, a longtime Tampa radio executive who conceived the idea for hip-hip radio station WLLD-FM (Wild 98.7), died Tuesday in California. He was 52. He was in San Francisco on a business trip when he experienced an aortic aneurysm, said his wife, Beth Rashbaum. He died after undergoing emergency surgery and suffering strokes and a herniated brain stem.

Mr. Rashbaum, who lived in Carrollwood, got his start in journalism and once wrote for the St. Petersburg Times. Later, he helped launch stations in Tampa Bay including WSJT-FM (Smooth Jazz 94.1) and WHPT-FM (The Point). In 1998, he noticed a void for hip-hop.

"He knew the radio market in Tampa really well," said Mrs. Rashbaum, 52. "He saw an opening for this kind of thing."

After a management shift in 1999, Mr. Rashbaum moved to Radio Disney, where he became vice president of marketing and sales, overseeing 42 of Disney's stations around the country.

"They called him the hurricane," said his wife. "He was swirling around doing five things at one time. He got ten times done what most people do in one day. He just worked so hard."

Mr. Rashbaum had three daughters, age 24, 20 and 12.

Services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Monday at Congregation Schaarai Zedek, 3303 W. Swann Ave., Tampa. The family will receive visitors 45 minutes prior. In lieu of flowers, tax-deductible donations may be made to USF Foundation Inc., memo line: Drew Rashbaum Memorial Scholarship Fund. USF-CAS Office of Development, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa.

Stephanie Hayes, Times Staff Writer

Comments

[Marc Daniels]

Drew was a neighbor of mine, growing up in Des Moines, IA. Please extend my sympathy to his brother Ken and the rest of the famil

[Ed Hartley]

I was very saddened to learn the news today. I was Program Director of WTKN when Drew was Sales Manager. At most stations there is usually a lot of friction between the programming and sales departments. Drew and I had an understanding that unless something had a purpose for both of our departments, we wouldn't do it. So we would sit down and figure out a way to make it mutually beneficial. He was one of the few able to see the whole picture. The industry needs more like him. My deepest sympathy to his family, which has grown, and grown up since I had the privilege of working with him from 1988 to 1990.

Ed Hartley
Director of Operations
Metro Networks/Westwood One
Albuquerque, NM

[Todd Leiser]

I hadn't seen Drew in years but always remember him as a terrific competitor, who not only had time for his family and his own station, but was a advocate for Tampa Bay Radio and invested time promoting our local radio community. Thank you for everything Drew!

[Bob O'Brien]

This is very sad news. Drew
was a wonderful man. I'll never
forget that HE put up the money
to enter me in the 1999 AIR AWARDS in Tampa (when the company wouldn't pony up). I wound up winning "BEST MIDDAY
SHOW," and it's all because of him. I'm devastated by the loss.

[Jay Marvin]

I worked with Drew at the old WTKN. He was one of the few guys who got it at that madhouse. What a really nice guy he was. I'm really sad about his passing. We love you Drew! RIP.

Jay Marvin
AM760 Progressive Talk
Denver/Boulder, CO

[Lou]

Drew was one of the best people I ever worked with in this business. I enjoyed every minute of it. He was driven, smart, funny and got it done. I am shocked and deeply saddened by his way too early passing. My thoughts and prayers are with Beth and his daughters.

[Jeff]

Likewise he was responsible for me coming to Tampa to program U-92. No one was more passionate, fair and concerned for his employees as Drew was. My move from the north was made easier for both my wife and I due to Drew and his family.

[Cindy]

I consider myself blessed to have been given the opportunity to know Drew and work for him at Radio Disney. A more ethical and fair man you will not find in the business. A huge loss.

[Orlando]

This man is fully responsible for my being in Tampa, and will be missed terribly. We have far too few, great gentlemen, in this business and we are now down another.

[Fugilebrity]

I don't think a verifiable aortic aneurysm can even remotely be classified as suspicious,voxy.

Are you implying there is a serial killer preying on the all-powerful Tampa Bay media (especially those menacing weatherman)? I believe this is a severe case of too many hours in front of episodes of CSI.

[voxy]

wow, if this isn't another suspicious death in broadcast journalism and tampa local media I don't know what would be.
I'm very sorry for your loss and find it absolutely stunningly suspicious.
Too many too fast.
Take good care of yourself.

[Julianna]

Terribly sad news. RIP, my friend.

[Roger]

No mention of his days as a Times pop music columnist in the 70s?