Former Butler station owner dies

Robert C. “Bob” Brandon, who owned radio stations WBUT, WLER, and WISR, all of Butler, died earlier this week at his home, according to his daughter Deanna, who posted his passing on Facebook. He was 74.

Brandon and his brother Ronald purchased WBUT and WLER from then-owner Larry Berg in July of 1978.  After ownership rules were relaxed in the early 1990s, the Brandons were given the opportunity to purchase their longtime crosstown competitor, WISR, from the Rosenblum family in 1997.  The following year, the Brandons sold their interests to the current group of owners, doing business at the Butler Media Group.

“He was a firm believer in keeping local radio local,” said Ken Hawk, a friend of Brandon, and the owner of Saxonburgradio.com. “He was adamant about Butler people working there.  He felt those tied to the community would be the best fit for the station.”

Upon purchasing the station, Brandon hosted the morning show on WBUT, which was partially simulcast on WLER-FM.  In the mid 1980s, Brandon turned morning show host duties over to Bob Cupp, but continued to anchor morning newscasts.  Cupp still hosts mornings on WBUT today.

Brandon, who was a resident of Center Township, Butler County, is survived by his wife Charlotte, their three adult daughters and grandchildren.  

Funeral arrangements have not been released.