Don Rose

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For other uses, see Don Rose (disambiguation).

Don Rose ( born Donald Rosenberg- best known as Dr. Don Rose or just Dr. Don- July 5, 1934 – March 30, 2005) was a memorable radio personality on KFRC AM 610 in San Francisco, California from October 1973 to 1986. With earlier experience at WQXI (AM) in Atlanta, Georgia, and WFIL in Philadelphia, he was known for his corny one-liners, wacky sound effects, and kindheartedness. During the 80's, Jane Dornacker worked with him doing traffic. One of his running gags was feeding the dog Roscoe. This would involve Rose telling about what he and his wife Kae ate for dinner the night before, and then Roscoe would eat the "leftovers."

"I'm married to radio," he told The Chronicle (San Francisco) in 1975, "and I'm thinking about suing it for nonsupport. I would describe my show as therapy, for myself."

With Dr. Don as anchor, KFRC was voted "Station of the Year" four times by Billboard Magazine. He was considered by many to be the king of radio in the Bay Area during the last decade of AM's musical dominance.

He was also named by Billboard Magazine as Disc Jockey of the Year on both the East Coast (while with WFIL Philadelphia) and on the West Coast (while with KFRC San Francisco).

In addition to his radio broadcasting work, he hosted cartoon shows on Field Communications television stations in Chicago (WFLD 32), Detroit (WKBD 50), Philadelphia (WKBS 48) and San Francisco (KBHK 44) for over a decade. Dr. Don Rose raised a total of over $10 million by hosting March of Dimes Superwalks for 20 years. As well, he emceed many golf tourneys, including his own, with proceeds going toward Special Olympics and special education.

He was born Donald Rosenberg in North Platte, Nebraska. He started in radio in 1955 while attending the University of Nebraska.

Despite his cheery persona, Rose suffered over 3 decades of debilitating pain and medical problems. In 1972, he underwent a botched heart surgery, which caused chronic knee infections that required 11 more operations and led to his losing his kneecap. He broadcast his daily radio show flat on his back from his home hospital bed for months. In 1984, after a fall made the knee problems worse, one leg was amputated.

Rose had to change his act in 1986 when KFRC changed its format to Big Band Music and its logo to Magic 61. He left KFRC for good by the end of the year. After leaving KFRC, he went back to morning radio in 1988 on K101, but retired for good four months later after having a heart attack on the air. He died in his sleep of pneumonia at the age of 70. He was married for 45 years to his wife Kae. They had 5 children.