Popular radio host Rob Dempsey dies one week after shock announcement left listeners in tears

Christian radio host Rob Dempsey has died at the age of 57, just a week after telling listeners he had been diagnosed with stage 3 bladder cancer.

Dempsey was a radio station manager and host of the daily Rob and Lizz in the Morning Show from Greenville, South Carolina. He worked at the station for 24 years.

Dempsey was hospitalized for emergency surgery when he went into cardiac arrest and died Wednesday of “complications related to stage 3 bladder cancer.”

Dempsey’s wife Amy announced that he had died from a blood clot in the lung that traveled to his heart.

Dempsey posted an uplifting message to his followers following his diagnosis

Dempsey had been on a health kick in recent years, after losing 140 pounds.

But in September, he noticed unusual signs that something was wrong before the diagnosis.

Despite his grim diagnosis, Dempsey had previously posted a message saying he was optimistic about the future.

‘Thank you very much to all who prayed for me. I saw the report today. I have bladder cancer and it looks aggressive… But nowadays the report comes quickly in My Chart. So this is what I read.’

He added, “Thankfully, today I am at peace knowing that God is in control. The next few days will be tough and that’s okay. I am determined to be a father to his children there. I am determined to be that grandfather who will see them grow up, graduate and get married. I want to grow old with my wife, who has been a tower of strength through all this mess.

‘I’ve watched a few videos of people who survived this and even got a new bladder! Things look hopeful. Thank you for praying!!!,” Dempsey wrote, ending his post.

Rob Dempsey of ‘Rob and Lizz in the Morning’ on HIS Radio announces his diagnosis of a cancerous tumor on his bladder during the show airing October 16, 2024

Dempsey was a radio station manager and host of the daily Rob and Lizz in the Morning Show from Greenville, South Carolina. He worked at the station for 24 years

Dempsey had been on a health kick in recent years, after losing 140 pounds

Dempsey told how he noticed unusual signs that something was wrong in September before he was diagnosed with stage 3 bladder cancer

In Dempsey’s latest Instagram post, he was being treated in a hospital hallway because it was so busy

His colleagues paid tribute to someone who was “not just a boss, but a leader and an encourager.”

‘He always made us laugh. His fingerprints are all over here. He made such an impact on the community and on Greenville. We lost him, but heaven gained such an incredible person. He’s celebrating with Jesus, they said.

There has been an outpouring of love on Facebook from those who have listened to him over the past thirty years.

One message reads: ‘Rob has now stood in the presence of God and heard the words, Well done, my good and faithful servant.’

“Rob was by far one of the most encouraging people I have ever known. Praying for his family,” another added.

Radio host Rob Dempsey of HIS radio, seen here with his wife of 33 years, Amy

Dempsey is survived by his wife of 33 years and four children

‘Very sad to hear today that Rob Dempsey has passed away. Thank you for serving so many of us with your divine gifts and your discipleship in Christ!” another wrote on Facebook.

“Rob’s light shone so brightly in this world, and his absence will be felt by more people than I can count,” a fourth added.

Dempsey worked in radio for more than 35 years, working his way up from production roles to become a volunteer DJ in Tampa, near his hometown of St. Petersburg, Florida, before becoming operations and program director for Christian music station HIS Radio throughout North Carolina. , South Carolina and Georgia.

Dempsey is survived by his wife of 33 years and four children.