Kenneth Alexander Obituary

I looked forward to hearing his voice every Saturday on Those Were the Days!

I was friends with Ken for about 30 years and still think of him often, especially when something I hear or read brings back memories. Glad that Steve still references Ken on "Those Were the Days" since he was part of that program for so long.

Still miss Ken. Those were the days just isn´t the same

Ken had auch a marvelous voice, and I loved listening to him on Saturday afternoons! Those Were the Days is still great, but it's not quite the same without him. Sending peace and love to all his loved ones!
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Jahaske
Sincerely,
Elizabeth

Ken had auch a marvelous voice, and I miss hearing him. Those Were the Days is still great, but it's not quite the same without him!

I loved listening to Ken's voice. He definitely made my Saturday´s better!

Still miss Ken on Those Were The Days. It´s not the same without him

I could not bring myself to listen to the October 28, 2023, broadcast of TWTD. Just my own sadness. I heard that it was not so much of a program "that would scare the YELL out of you" (per Chuck Schaden) as it was an audio memorial to Ken's voice talents. Kudos to Stave Darnall for that. Real Class. Steve. Thank You. I may listen to it now.
2022 was a really tough year for "good" radio in Chicagoland with the April 9th retirement of John "Radio" Russell and Ken's peaceful passing on November 2nd. This seems to me to be just about the last peal of a Chicago radio death knell that began around June 12, 1971 with the near on-mic death of Franklin MacCormack. And, although all of these, and many others of my Radio friends and "heroes" broadcasts are available online, or, as in the case of John "Radio" Russell available on small Radio stations "listen live" rebroadcasts, it's not quite the same. But I STILL listen to Ken, Steve, Chuck Schaden, Steve and even Franklin MacCormack (and others) from the internet archives online. I listen to John "Radio" Russell's rebroadcasts from the "listen live" button on the website of the small Rockford "good music", free, public service Radio station WTPB-LP. As of this date, the rebroadcast of one of John's 21+ year WDCB programs is played at 8:00 PM each evening.
I try to listen to as many of the programs of these Radio greats as often as I can.
I think this just might make Ken smile, even today. Thank You, Ken for everything you gave us. You are missed.
Jim Melka

I always loved listening to his voice, and his love of classic radio programs was so apparent. I hope that he's been able to meet "old-time" radio stars in Heaven!

Ken and I worked together at WAIT back in the 80s. He is a legend and was a friend to me. He was a calm and gentle person. I was sorry to hear of his passing. The last time we communicated was in April of 2020. Rest in peace, my friend.

I remember Ken when he was on WAIT back in the 1960s. My older brother would always tune in when he drove the car. I enjoyed listening to him on WDCB with Chuck Schaden. He reminded me of my late brother; both were gentlemen of a bygone era.

He will be missed. The most humble man I ever knew.

I miss his sweet voice on Those Were the Days on WDCB. May he rest in heavenly peace. Thanks for the great memories.

Ken Alexander was, as so many others have stated, a Chicagoland legend. I remember him on WNIB, to which I ardently listened, and admired his dignity and patience sharing air time with the several barking canines (hopefully at least one Labrador retriever) in the background. I remember, as if it was yesterday driving in Bronzeville and listening to an amazing piece, the Sibelius Opus 47 violin concerto, and wondering what, pray tell, I was hearing, as I had heretofore never heard this piece. Low and behold, Ken himself apprised me of all pertinent details and I repaired to the nearest Rose Records (at the time) and immediately purchased a copy of this amazing concerto.

Rest in peace, Ken. You were much appreciated, one of a kind and there will never be another like you. May the good Lord's love and benevolence be with you for eternity

The warmth and tenderness of the worlds most beautiful music.... on W A I T so long Ken, probably see you soon.

I have been a follower of TWTD since the beginning (when my father started listening). I always enjoyed Ken's announcing, character portrayals and interacting with Chuck (and then Steve), especially his reading of the news of a day way back when. He was "an institution" in Chicago, and I know he will be greatly missed by Chuck, Steve and many others who knew and were associated with him, and the many TWTD listeners. I was blessed to know of and hear him all those many years.

Everyone has already said so much, I can add only this. The "voice" of Ken Alexander made my life richer in many ways. When I lived in Villa Park, he was a professional and a friend who always asked caring questions about my world as a concerned friend. There are very few persons with Ken's brand of "class" in this world today.

Because I now live in a "continued care - end of life" community in central Wisconsin I only heard about Ken's passing today. If I would have known earlier, I would have made the trip down to Villa Park to say "Goodbye".
I'm doing that now.
Lead On, Ken.
I'll be saying "Hello" again to you soon.
Jim Melka

I'm very saddened by the news. It is spirits like Ken that are needed more than ever in this world. He represents a generation for which I have the highest admiration, and who are leaving us in numbers too great.

Having grown up in Chicago I was fortunate to have heard Ken with Chuck Shaden beginning in the 1980s. His death marks the end of an era in many ways, and he will be greatly missed, but never forgotten.

Ken was a real treasure. I thank God for Ken; and, ask God to receive Ken into His Paradise.

If sound may be thought of as a source of illumination, then the sound of one particular voice has been a guiding light in my life since I first heard it as a child. It belonged to Ken Alexander, but I thought of it then as the voice of WAIT, my father's go-to radio station at the time. Even now I can hear the energy and cheerful commitment in that voice as it told me that the song I was about to hear was written by Frank Loesser. Something about the way Ken said "Frank Loesser" made me want to know everything I could about Frank Loesser. That a song introduction by a radio announcer decades ago is as vivid to me now as the words I'm typing is a testament to the love and devotion he nonchalantly poured into his work. Years later I followed the voice to WNIB, where it continued to influence my musical tastes and convey the sense that beauty, grace, good humor, and simple humanity were available at the touch of a dial. When Ken became part of Those Were the Days and I realized this charming personality was the owner of the voice that had been guiding me on my merry way since childhood, it was serendipity in a nutshell. Through pandemic and pandemonium, though fissures may have been deepening in the world at large, when I was able to tune in at 1 pm on a Saturday and hear Ken's
voice, an infectious lilt punctuating the word "host," I suddenly felt all was right with the world. I'd say I'll miss that voice, and I will, yet it's a gift that remains, not just in the archives of memory or recordings but in the heart of any person who was lucky enough to breathe in the airwaves buoyed by that humble, thoughtful, funny, caring, exuberantly understated voice. I trust that its good nature will continue to guide its long-time listeners, reminding us of melody, fun, kindness, and the importance of feeding squirrels. For some reason we've been particularly attentive to the neighborhood squirrels the past week or so. I suppose he's had something to do with that. I imagine the squirrels are grateful, as am I.

I met Ken A. Alexander at WAIT radio when I was just learning the ropes in running a control board. Ken quickly became my friend and Radio Mentor. His kind heart and peaceful demeanor were some of the great qualities that he shared with everyone. Ken taught me to appreciate eating healthy with our frequent trips to the Health Food store in Elmhurst. One Sunday morning when I slept late, by accident, Ken did double duty running the control board and doing all the announcing while I drove like a bat out of hell to get to work. Ken was discrete and only he and I ever knew about that incident thereafter. Ken's versatility with Voice Acting was always appreciated around the WAIT radio station. The voice of Peter Laurie or Humphrey Bogart were his favorites....not to mention an occasional Boris Karloff line or two. Kenny was Unique, Classy, Respectful, and lots of fun. God Bless him....

Let me add my name to the many people who have already stated what a fine person Ken was. I really enjoyed Ken's reading of the old newspapers on TWTD every Saturday. It was a nice touch to that program. A while back I attended a TWTD visit to the Oak Lawn library, but unfortunately Ken was not there. I was hoping to meet him. RIP

I have listened to Ken for more DECADES than I want to remember. Ken was always a good natured co-host, educational and brought a human perspective to what I felt was a very personal time together. He was doing what he loved right up to the very end, and made a real addition to the show. I will genuinely miss his presence weekly.
May God have mercy on his soul and may he Rest In Peace.

Listening to "Those Were the Days" with Ken Alexander brought joy to all. Every Saturday I looked forward to spending time listening to the radio and what felt like an old friend.
He will be sorely missed. How grateful I am that I was able to listen to him every Saturday.

Many years ago when Chuck Schaden broadcast his "Those were the days," show from the Chicago Cultural Center, my wife Miriam and I went down one Saturday to be in the audience and see how the show was produced. We had also sent in a donation to "Jack Benny's Vault and wanted to see our name, Harvey Orlov on the plaque.

During the running of one of the radio shows, Mr. Alexander came over and sat down next to me. First, he asked if that seat was open. I told him I was saving it for him. We shook hands and it was like we had known each other all our lives. I was born in 1935 and grew up with radio. We sat there while he had the time with nothing going on and we compared our trivia, memories and recollections of life in those wonderful old days. He, of course had much more behind the scene knowledge than I, but he made me feel an equal to the memories of those times and years. I remember it to this day. We have all lost a conduit to simpler, pleasant and memorable years growing up in Chicago and America. Two different places that we had back then. As we say, "May his memory be for a blessing." We will miss his voice,, impressions and repartee.

Harvey Orlov

Always the ice cream! A favorite photo of Ken from 2015 or so. I'm, like, "Ken are you SURE you want the double scoop?!" Like this beautifully written obituary says, "have some ice cream with a friend..." Ken will surely be looking down on you with his big smile. God bless, everyone.

I met Ken in 1983 after joining the engineering staff at FM-100. Ken was on the air at WAIT, sister station to FM-100, and was a friend, teacher and mentor to Bruce Buckley and Kevin McCarthy. Bruce, Kevin and I all worked at 92.7 FM and when they found out I got a job at FM-100 told me all about Ken and what an amazing announcer and friend he was to them and I had to meet him too. That started a 39-year friendship that got us all through so many good times and sad times in our lives. I'm so blessed to be able to call Ken "friend" for so many years and to enjoy so many grand adventures such as trips to the zoo, meetups at the train station downtown, amazingly long walks downtown, lunch at the Berghoff, eating way too much ice cream, and of course hearing so many of his great stories of his life and working on the air and the inevitable escapades that are involved in that the radio industry! All great.

I dreaded the day that I would receive news like we all got recently, I could never imagine a time where Ken would not be here to call or send a Christmas or birthday card to. So heartbroken but so grateful that he had such a long and happy life and was able to have a career that he loved. How many people can say they have careers doing what they always wanted to do?! It's so rare. He was such a gift and blessing to us that knew him personally and those who heard him on the radio sharing himself with us. Was listening to that fabulous tribute show that Steve and Chuck aired on Those Were The Days last Saturday and laughed and cried hearing Ken doing his thing. So wonderful, thank you for creating this wonderful show.

Thank you to everyone who are mourning his loss as this shows how truly he was loved by so many. Chuck, Steve, Barbara, Connie, and those wonderful neighbors who watched over Ken the past few years, extra big love sent your way.

I was so lucky to have become friends with Ken Alexander through working at the Museum of Broadcast Communication. His searsucker suits in the summer were my favorite. I admired his chivalry when walking down the street together he always ensured he was curbside. He was one of a kind and I will truly miss him.

We have all lost a dear friend, a humble and kind soul. I have listened to Ken on various radio stations since high school. Every time I saw him he thanked me for being his "only" listener, I know there were many more. Rest in peace.

I will certainly miss ken on those were the days which I enjoyed and look forward to every Saturday. Both he and Steve we´re really great together and everything they did, I especially liked the newspaper reading. Ken had a great sense of humor I love those impressions in all his stories about his time in Chicago may you rest in peace

Ken, As Bob Hope would say, ``Thanks for the Memories.'' It was a joy to hear your calm, thoughtful presentations of light classical music on WNIB. You added depth and insight as a co-host on ``Those Were The Days.''
See and listen to you,down the road!

I wanted to call Ken to tell him how much I enjoyed his voices of Digby, Bela and Boris on the Halloween broadcast, and thank him for promoting public libraries. I will miss his voices and our chats. I guess it was time to be "shoveling off" one last time. Rest in peace, my friend.

I was friends with Ken A., as he would say when he called, for about 30 years, meeting him when I worked at the Museum of Broadcast Communications. We bonded over our mutual love of old radio shows. Even though I moved to different states, we kept in touch and he almost always remembered to send birthday and Christmas cards. He was very generous and really hated getting gifts - "your friendship is all that matters" he'd say. The radio tribute to him by Steve and Chuck was so nice and appropriate for Ken. Like many others, I will miss my long-time friend. The tears continue....

Will miss Ken Alexander on TWTD giving us the news from the past. May he Rest In Peace.

Ken I just read this and idk why it touched me so,, may you be broadcasting in heaven , God bless

I was listening to Those Were the Days yesterday and learned of Ken's passing - I never met Ken - but he was always on the airwaves - I will certainly miss his stories especially the weekly vintage newspaper segment! Rest well Ken your audience will miss you!

I never met Ken Alexander, but I listened to him many, many times on TWTD. I only found out this afternoon of his passing, when I was listening to TWTD - which BTW was a beautiful tribute to him. Ken will be missed deeply. May he rest in eternal peace.

Today was a great show on Those Were Days remembering Ken Alexander. I too, never met him, but sooooo enjoyed his work on the radio show and was stunned when I heard he had passed; and then was thrilled to hear so much humour and history devoted to him on today's show. Rest in Peace, sir. Memory Eternal.

GOD AND PEACE AND LOVEBE WITH YOU, DEAR KEN. BLESSINGS, LIZ DRABOWSKY

I never met Ken personally but I knew him from his Those Were The Days broadcasts. By those I came to know his as a kind friend. I will cherish those memories. Rest In Peace my friend and thank you.

I am so Thankful for the smiles and pleasure Ken's voice gave and evoked to me and other WDCB listeners. I met him once in person at Museum of Broadcast Communications. His memory will be a joy to me, and i'm sure, everyone who was lucky to hear him. Rest in Peace, Sir.

I didn't know Ken, but I have many memories of him on radio. I even remember the days when he introduced classical music on WNIB. He was one of the most talented people doing radio in Chicago. Many people will remember his work.

May Ken Rest In Peace, broadcasting from the afterlife on WHVN! I did traffic for WLOO and WAIT in the `90s and remember him fondly. He was a class act and I loved hearing him every Saturday.

What a pleasant face! I will miss his pleasant personality. I can't imagine the show without him.??
Anita Anderson

I first met Ken when I was in my early teens and my father took me to a recording of Those Were The Days. Ken and I bonded over a shared interest in language and culture, and from that point on, we kept up a correspondence for over twenty years.
Besides exchanging regular letters and sharing interesting newspaper articles with one another, we would meet up when I was in Chicago and we'd take walks and have long conversations over meals at his favorite restaurants in the Loop, the Walnut Room and the Italian Village.
Although we unfortunately lost touch over the past few years, I think of him very fondly. Ken was passionate about his interests and very knowledgeable about them, although also humble in regard to his knowledge. He was a gracious, generous, gentle, and kind man. I was grateful for his friendship, which I knew was something he did not bestow lightly.
Ken will be missed.

Thank you for decades of enjoyment, Ken. From "Zephyr" to the weekly newspaper highlights, you were a constant--a much needed bastion of calm and courtesy amid a frenetic modern world. We'll miss you!

Im so sorry to hear about Ken- Ive been listening to him for years and really looked forward to his show on Saturday afternoon. May his memory be a blessing.

I am thankful to Ken for all of the enjoyment he gave me through the years on TWTD. I will miss his voice on Saturday afternoons.

It is like a favorite uncle passing. My sincere condolences to his family. He was always a part of my Saturday afternoon shift while I was on the road working. A lot of joy you brought to all of us out there sho never met you, but know you anyway.RIP Sir.

He was such a kind, decent man. I love to hear him read the Newspaper on Those Were the Day. He was the New Man.
Thank you Ken for introducing History and Music to Baby Boomers. You certainly will be missed. Thank you.

Loved listening to Ken on the weekly OTR show

I only knew Ken through his work on Those Were The Days. What an incredible loss of such a wonderful man. I shall never forget him.

Avid listener of TWTD, always enjoyed Ken's recollections of past times, old time radio and his Saturday newspapers. Feels like I've lost a relative.

I'm saddened to hear of the loss of a Kind man of Chicago Radio Mister Ken Alexander. I first met Ken when he was working on WNIB and Guest hosting Those were the Days with Chuck Schaden.
Ken was kind enough to help me with a script that I Submitted to Chuck for Those Were the Days.
I will Miss hearing him on Saturday Afternoons.
Richard Bilek

Thank You for contributing to Those Were The Days

You Will be Missed.

After many years of knowin his voice, I first met Ken when I took my then-young daughter to see Those Were The Days at the old library. Ken took time to explain the show to her, became her long-time friend, took her to his Walnut Room spot for several lunches. I continued to listen to Ken, including this past Halloween, doing his famous voice imitations. A great announcer, a knowledgeable, thoughtful, wonderful guy. So sorry to hear of this loss. Barry Epstein

Mr Alexander was a fixture of my Saturday routine on WDCB's "Those Were The Days" as he was for so many. We didn't know too much about him personally though he confessed on air to be no fan of technology. We also could plainly hear that he had a sense of humor,lots of dignity and enjoyed singing now and then with Chuck Schaden,host of TWTD and then Steve Darnell. I know those 2 gentlemen feel a great deal of loss even more than we listeners. Ken was a true pro with a broadcast resume as long as your arm and of course ,a passion for "the good old days". He shared many memories and now becomes a part of our own. Steve Darnall the current fine host of "Those Were the Days" would introduce Ken as "your announcer and mine." All of us have lost our announcer. God Bless Ken Alexander.

We were so very sorry to hear of Ken's passing. He was such a good friend and such a kind and gentle man. I used to talk about him to so many people. He will be missed you much. Maureen and Ken Zars

I am greatly saddened to hear of Ken's passing. He was an acquaintance; I enjoyed his work on "Those Were the Days"; in general, I was impressed by his knowledge in many areas. I will miss him.

My dearest Ken, I will always cherish the many lunches we shared at the Chinese restaurant, our trips downtown to the Art Institute, the Fine Arts building, the Italian Village, the lapidary museum, the Elmhurst historical society, and of course, the radio station. So many great conversations and laughs. I miss my friend. Love Joan

I am so very sorry to hear of Ken's passing. It was particularly shocking as I just spoke to him on the phone on Monday evening, complimenting him on another entertaining Halloween broadcast for the "Those Were The Days" radio program. He was a such a kind gentleman, as well as a creative and talented broadcaster. He will be dearly missed. Rozanne, John, and Austin Porter

Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.