WASHINGTON (WUSA9/AP) -- Washington radio host Ed Walker passed away Monday morning, just hours after listening to his final radio broadcast, American University Radio announced.
On Twitter WAMU Radio tweeted , "We are very sad to announce our friend Ed Walker passed away this morning, after listening to his final show with his family. #BigBroadcast"
Walker ended his career in broadcast earlier this month after more than 60 years.
The 83-year-old Walker was fighting cancer and will retire to focus on his health.
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Walker was born blind and began listening to radio as a child in the 1930s. As a student at American University in 1950, Walker was one of the founders of the then-campus radio station WAMU and was one of the hosts of the comedy program "The Joy Boys."
Walker recorded his final program which will aired on WAMU on Oct. 25. He has been the host of "The Big Broadcast" on the station since 1990.
He was elected to the Radio Hall of Fame in 2009.
WAMU is encouraging listeners to share their thoughts and remembrances on Twitter using the hashtag #BigBroadcast.
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