WFCR's Morning Edition Host Bob Paquette Dies

[Sunday, May 29, 2011] - Amherst, MA. With great sadness, New England Public Radio announces that its long-time reporter Bob Paquette died of an apparent heart attack this weekend. Bob was the local host of NPR's "Morning Edition" on WFCR and WNNZ for two decades.

As Senior Producer and Host, Bob was one of the most familiar voices to WFCR's listeners, widely recognized for the excellence and professionalism of his hosting and reporting. He was an award-winning reporter who joined WFCR initially as newscaster for "All Things Considered," taking on "Morning Edition" a few years later. For so many people for so many years, he was the voice of WFCR every morning.

"Bob Paquette will be deeply missed at UMass Amherst. He is best known as an outstanding journalist who each day enlightened thousands of listeners in the Pioneer Valley and beyond, "said Robert C. Holub, Chancellor of the University of Massachusetts Amherst. "He was also a proud UMass graduate, and we will cherish the memory of his role at our commencement ceremonies, where his voice of authority and joy set the perfect tone for our most important community celebration. He shared his talents in many ways, and for that we will always be grateful."

Arrangements for a memorial service are pending and will be announced by the family.

"There are no words to express our shock and grief over the loss of our colleague and friend Bob Paquette," said Martin Miller, CEO and General Manager of WFCR and WNNZ. "Our heartfelt condolences and sympathies go out to Bob's husband Michael Packard, and to their families, friends and colleagues."

WFCR and WNNZ invite listeners to send their remembrances of Bob to radio@nepr.net.