Ruth Seymour Obituary News: KCRW founder and NPR pioneer, Ruth Seymour dies at 88

Ruth Seymour Obituary – Cause of Death: KCRW founder and NPR pioneer, Ruth Seymour dies at 88.

KCRW founder, Ruth Seymour died on Friday, December 22, 2023 at the age of 88 after a long illness.

Seymour born Ruth Epstein was an American broadcasting executive known for her innovative work with public radio. She has been described as a pioneer in public radio and “a commanding presence in the public radio arena”.

Ruth Epstein was born at Sydenham Hospital in Harlem, New York City. She grew up across the street from the Bronx Zoo, along with her younger sister. Her parents were both Polish immigrants. During her years at City College of New York, Ruth studied Yiddish and Hebrew with Jewish linguist Max Weinreich.

Seymour’s first venture into radio came at KPFK in Los Angeles from 1961 to 1964. She had moved to the city with her husband in 1961. As that station’s drama and literary critic, she produced award-winning series. She joined the staff of KCRW at Santa Monica College in 1977 as a consultant and was named manager a few months later, in 1978. She retired from there in February 2010 after having helped the station “transcend its basement location to shape the culture in Los Angeles.”

Social Media Tributes

Thoughts and prayers to Seymour’s family and friends.

“I knew this day was coming, but I’m still shocked now that it’s here. We’ve lost Ruth Seymour. She was incredibly smart, strong and a lover/celebrator of the arts like no other. KCRW was what it was because of her fiercely independent spirit and dedication to greatness. She didn’t cater to anyone, which is why it was a station like no other. And a place I was so proud to spend more than a decade of my life,” a tribute post shared on Facebook said.

Words fall short of expressing our grief for your loss, as we mourn with family and friends for this great loss. Please accept our condolences and may our prayers help comfort you. Please receive our heartfelt condolences.

Feel free to drop condolences messages and prayers for the family and friends of the deceased as it will go a very long way at this difficult time of theirs.

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