Beloved radio host Rob Dempsey dies a week after tragic cancer announcement: 'He always made us laugh'

Popular Christian radio show host Rob Dempsey has died, a week after breaking the news to his devoted fans that he had been diagnosed with stage 3 bladder cancer.

He was 57 years old.

“Rob Dempsey, HIS Radio Station Manager and co-host of Rob and Liz in the Morning, will be with Jesus on Wednesday evening, October 23rd,” HisAir radio station announced on Facebook Thursday.

The station also told listeners that Dempsey died of cardiac arrest after being hospitalized for emergency surgery.

“He always made us laugh. This place has his fingerprints. He was not just a boss, he was a leader, an encourager. He had such an impact on the community and Greenville,” a radio host at the station said during the broadcast Thursday, according to WMBF News.

“We lost him but heaven gained such an incredible person. He is celebrating with Jesus.”

He was with HisAir for 24 years.

Dempsey shocked his fans when he announced on Facebook on October 15 that he had been diagnosed with “aggressive” stage 3 bladder cancer.

“Fortunately I am at peace today knowing God is in control,” the devout Christian radio host assured fans in his post.

“The coming days will be tough and that's okay. I am determined to be a father to her children. I am determined to be the grandfather who sees them grow up, graduate and get married. I want to grow old with my wife who is stoned through all this garbage.”

Dempsey previously shared with HisAir that his start in radio began as “a homeless teenager, addicted to drugs and alcohol” when a youth pastor “introduced” him to Christian radio station WCIE in Lakeland, FL.

“While leaving the bar one night WCIE was on the radio. I gave up life. Dave Stewart arrived on the radio. It's like he's talking to me. 'God loves you,' he said. 'He will never leave you or forsake you,' Dempsey shared.

“He prayed the sinner's prayer and at that moment I surrendered my life to Christ. Then I offered another prayer. 'God, I want to do what that guy on the radio is doing.'

After the revelation, Dempsey got clean and began working in radio, which he continued for 35 years.

He lives in his hometown of St. Petersburg, Fla. He began his career in a variety of production roles before becoming a volunteer DJ in Tampa and later operations and program director for HIS Radio in North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia.

The longtime radio host struggled with obesity and lost 140 pounds over the years.

Dempsey is survived by his wife, Amy, four children, Wes, Amanda, Spencer and Eliza, and two grandchildren, Jackson and Grace.

His son, Spencer, thanked fans and the community for their support in the wake of his father's death in a Facebook post Thursday.

“He was a great man, and I am proud to call him my father,” she wrote.

“Today I am heartbroken, yet hopeful about this promise. He is healthy, he is healthy, and he is dancing with his savior. Everything he did was aimed at bringing glory to God, and only God knows how many lives he touched. I love you dad, see you soon. Well done.”