Beloved Radio Host Dies a Week After Announcing Diagnosis

Rob Dempsey, a beloved Christian radio host known for his humor and faith, passed away on Wednesday, October 23, after complications related to stage 3 bladder cancer led to cardiac arrest. Dempsey, a longtime fixture on the South Carolina show Rob and Lizz in the Morning, had shared news of his diagnosis with listeners just days prior.

Dempsey worked for Greenville’s HIS Radio for over 24 years, and the station announced his passing during a heartfelt broadcast on Thursday, October 24. In a statement, his colleagues remembered him as “not just a boss but a leader, an encourager,” adding, “We lost him, but heaven gained such an incredible person. He’s celebrating with Jesus.”

Dempsey first revealed his battle with aggressive bladder cancer on October 15 in a Facebook post, where he expressed gratitude for the support from his community. Days later, on October 21, he informed followers that he was hospitalized for surgery on his left kidney. Sadly, despite efforts to treat the cancer, Dempsey’s health rapidly declined.

His colleagues and listeners alike mourn his loss, many recalling his laughter, leadership, and unwavering faith. “His fingerprints are all over this place,” HIS Radio hosts shared on air. “He made such an impact on the community and Greenville.”

Dempsey’s radio journey spanned over three decades, beginning in Florida. Raised in St. Petersburg, Dempsey faced numerous challenges, including homelessness and substance addiction. He credited his transformation to a youth pastor and the influence of WCIE, a Christian radio station in Lakeland, Florida. Reflecting on that time, he once shared, “One night while leaving a bar, WCIE was on the radio. I had given up on life… I prayed, ‘God, I want to do what that guy on the radio is doing.'”

Dempsey eventually became a volunteer DJ at WLPJ in North Tampa, later securing a full-time role at WJIS in Sarasota, where he honed his craft. By the time he joined HIS Radio, Dempsey was both operations and program director, overseeing programming across North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.

Outside the studio, Dempsey and his wife of 33 years, Amy, raised four children and fostered several others. In a heartfelt Facebook post on Thursday, Dempsey’s son, Spencer, thanked the community, writing, “He was a great man, and I’m proud to call him my Dad. He’s whole, he’s healthy, and he’s dancing with his Savior. Everything he did was aimed at bringing God glory… I love you, Dad, I’ll see you soon.”

Tributes from listeners and friends poured in online. One fan posted, “Very sad to hear of Rob Dempsey’s passing today. Thank you for serving so many of us with your Godly gifts,” while another wrote, “Rob’s light shined so bright in this world, and his absence will be felt by more people than I can count.”

Rob Dempsey’s legacy of faith, service, and joy will be cherished by countless listeners, friends, and family members in the Greenville area and beyond.