M
MFields22
Guest
This note comes from Cassie Smith, the new GM of
Album 88, WRAS-Atlanta, the student run radio station of
Georgia State University.
_________________________________________________
Dear Friends of the Georgia Music Show and WRAS-Atlanta,
It's hard for me to even begin writing this email because it's something I never thought I would have to do. It is with a very, very heavy heart and spirit that I inform all of you that Robert Morea, Program Director at WRAS-Atlanta, passed away yesterday at his hospital in Birmingham, Alabama. As I mentioned at the staff meeting last week, Robert had been in the hospital for several weeks with what appeared to be a very severe case of pneumonia. Complications arose when Robert's condition was not improving and the doctor's realized he was fighting off a very rare strain of pneumonia. Robert's mother called me last week to inform me that Robert was very, very sick and the doctors had sedated him heavily. Robert's mother called me around 5:30 PM this afternoon to tell me he passed away yesterday.
Unfortunately, I do not know many details yet. Robert's mother Cathy told me she will be emailing me soon with the details about the memorial service they will be holding sometime next week. I don't know if they are accepting flowers or if they would prefer a donation to a foundation of some sort.
Cathy also told me about something I don't think Robert ever told anyone- he didn't even tell me. Robert was born with cystic fibrosis which is an inherited disease which attacks the gastrointestinal and respiratory systems. Normally, children born with this disease don't make it past their early twenties. Robert, like other people with CF, had a double lung transplant three years ago. He was given a new set of healthy lungs which were supposed to allow him to live to be at least 40 or 50 years old. Robert passed away at age 27. I was not aware that Robert had CF or that he had received a double lung transplant. I imagine if Robert's family wants any donations made it will be to whichever foundation supports research on cystic fibrosis.
On a personal note, Robert has been one of my very best friends at WRAS. He and I hosted the Georgia Music Show together and in August we would have been sharing that responsibility for a year. He has always been my concert buddy and a really great friend. Robert was absolutely psyched to be hired as Program Director. His mother wanted me to tell all of you that Album 88 is the reason he decided to come back to school after his transplant and he loves the station a lot. One of the reasons he was sedated last week was because he was stressed out about not being able to get his Programming work done and he wasn't able to listen to 88.5 from the hospital.
On Friday, I plan to use the day to pay tribute to Robert's work at Album 88. I'll probably play some of his favorite local artists and all who wish to take part may do so. This includes anyone in the local music community who wishes to say anything or any WRAS staff. I plan on dedicating our fall benefit to his memory and service to WRAS.
Sincerely,
Cassie Smith
Album 88, WRAS-Atlanta, the student run radio station of
Georgia State University.
_________________________________________________
Dear Friends of the Georgia Music Show and WRAS-Atlanta,
It's hard for me to even begin writing this email because it's something I never thought I would have to do. It is with a very, very heavy heart and spirit that I inform all of you that Robert Morea, Program Director at WRAS-Atlanta, passed away yesterday at his hospital in Birmingham, Alabama. As I mentioned at the staff meeting last week, Robert had been in the hospital for several weeks with what appeared to be a very severe case of pneumonia. Complications arose when Robert's condition was not improving and the doctor's realized he was fighting off a very rare strain of pneumonia. Robert's mother called me last week to inform me that Robert was very, very sick and the doctors had sedated him heavily. Robert's mother called me around 5:30 PM this afternoon to tell me he passed away yesterday.
Unfortunately, I do not know many details yet. Robert's mother Cathy told me she will be emailing me soon with the details about the memorial service they will be holding sometime next week. I don't know if they are accepting flowers or if they would prefer a donation to a foundation of some sort.
Cathy also told me about something I don't think Robert ever told anyone- he didn't even tell me. Robert was born with cystic fibrosis which is an inherited disease which attacks the gastrointestinal and respiratory systems. Normally, children born with this disease don't make it past their early twenties. Robert, like other people with CF, had a double lung transplant three years ago. He was given a new set of healthy lungs which were supposed to allow him to live to be at least 40 or 50 years old. Robert passed away at age 27. I was not aware that Robert had CF or that he had received a double lung transplant. I imagine if Robert's family wants any donations made it will be to whichever foundation supports research on cystic fibrosis.
On a personal note, Robert has been one of my very best friends at WRAS. He and I hosted the Georgia Music Show together and in August we would have been sharing that responsibility for a year. He has always been my concert buddy and a really great friend. Robert was absolutely psyched to be hired as Program Director. His mother wanted me to tell all of you that Album 88 is the reason he decided to come back to school after his transplant and he loves the station a lot. One of the reasons he was sedated last week was because he was stressed out about not being able to get his Programming work done and he wasn't able to listen to 88.5 from the hospital.
On Friday, I plan to use the day to pay tribute to Robert's work at Album 88. I'll probably play some of his favorite local artists and all who wish to take part may do so. This includes anyone in the local music community who wishes to say anything or any WRAS staff. I plan on dedicating our fall benefit to his memory and service to WRAS.
Sincerely,
Cassie Smith