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Passing of Drew Rashbaum

L

Liver Lips

Guest
Long time Tampa Bay area broadcaster Drew Rashbaum pasted away last evening
due to a heart attack while traveling on Disney business in California.
For the past 10 years Drew was VP Sales for Radio Disney Network.
Prior to this stint, Drew was area VP/Manager for PAX stations in the Tampa Bay
area, putting stations such as WILD & JAZZ/SJT on the air. Drew was one of the
most accomplished radio professionals in the Tampa Bay area and will be missed by
all who knew him. Funeral arrangements are pending.
 
Drew was simply one of the best. After his local radio accomplishments, he really made things happen for Radio Disney as a national brand showing locals how to make money selling the format. He rose from a local, to regional to national head of sales for the network.

A great guy, who leaves behind a wife and three daughters.

He will be missed.
 
Drew Rashbaum was one of the most genuine gentlemen, in this seedy business, and is responsible for creating som much good in this industry that all who knew him, shed tears today. He was the man that brought a young, unaccomplished newbie, to town and actually cared what I had to say. He created the WiLD standard, that we still work from today. We, Smooth Jazz, Disney and the industry were lucky to have learn from and spent time with him.

Bless
 
I'm not in radio, but I'll miss Drew just the same. It feels like I knew him forever, because I can't remember when we met. His joy in his work and his family, his energy and his genuine niceness made him a delight to be around. I didn't see him nearly often enough because we always figured there'd be time next week or next month. That's a painful lesson for me. I felt the same way when Tom Rivers died. I believe services are Monday, but that's not official. -- mjk/tbpac
 
Hello, this is Erin, Drew's eldest daughter. My mother found your post and was touched, but asked that I correct you: he did not have a heart attack. He had a dissecting aortic aneurysm and survived the surgery, but then suffered a number of strokes and a herniated brain stem, which finally did him in. The funeral will be Monday at 10:30 at Congregation Schaarai Zedek. If you are in attendance, please do introduce yourself. Thank you for the kind words about my father.

Erin
 
Back in the early to mid-1980s, Drew led a double life. In addition to his radio station responsibilities in Sarasota, he also wrote pop music concert reviews and artist interviews for the St. Petersburg Times. That's when I met him. I was fresh out of college and the paper took a chance on me to pick up the shows for which Drew didn't have time. Every month we'd go through the calendar together and he'd assign me whatever he couldn't do for time reasons or didn't care about. After a time, Drew's rise in radio cut further and further into his availability for the newspaper and I had my hands full.

Then an interesting thing happened: I started covering radio, for the Times and later, briefly, for the Tampa Tribune, and Drew became part of my beat.

Although it's been years since we talked the way we used to do, either as colleagues or reporter/subject, I was shocked and saddened when a mutual friend, Jeff Chabon, called from San Antonio with the news of Drew's passing. He was a great guy, someone to whom I owe a chunk of my career, and I know I'm just one of an army of admirers and friends who will miss him.

Bob Andelman
 
Erin,
You and your family are in the hearts of SO many people right now, many of whom you don't even know. They may feel like they know you, your sisters and your mom because your dad always spoke with such pride and love about you all. I worked with your dad for 4 short years with the Radio Disney stations in West Palm and Miami many years ago. Your dad was SUCH an incredible human being. He inspired so many people in so many ways. He was admired by many as a leader and a friend. There are so many things to say about Drew and not enough room to explain the impact he had on the lives of everyone he had come into contact with. I am sure you and your family know all of this already. Although nobody will miss him like you and your family, it may bring you some comfort to know that so many people recognize and miss the greatness that was your father. He made the ordinary extraordinary.

Jen Wilson
 
Drew Rashbaum

There are not many people that shaped the media industry like Drew, from as far back as I remember
he was here, involved , and caring always.
He always had time for anyone that needed it, always made everyone feel special.
He will be missed, impossible to replace,
God bless you DR, and your family,which I feel ,as many others do, a part of.
In our hearts always,
Jeff Arthur
 
My friendship with Drew goes back to our days at USF. As a 2nd semester freshman in Epsilon 4 West to a sophomore as across the street neighbors on N19th Street me at Yella Umbrella Apartments; Drew at La Rauncha Gross...and then as young mediarites in the Tampa Bay broadcast biz, we continued to grow in the biz and often combined forces successfully for the next 25 years. Our lives crossed and paralleled on many levels - Drew married to Beth, both our youngest daughters with the given name of Hannah. And many more. From the WAVE to the Mutiny to the Mouse and the fishes...I owe so much of my college memories, broadcast knowledge, negotiating ability, business integrity and joy of the business to Drew Rashbaum. I am proud to have called him a colleague, business associate and true life long friend.

Drew, our paths will cross again my friend. My love and true condolences to your family and all of the friends you have made along the way...

Beth Louise
 
I am proud to boast that I have know Drew since we became lifelong friends at Camp Greeley when we were 15! Those 37 years have gone by way too fast and we weren't ready for them to end. The character, warmth, intelligence, and integrity he showed as a teenager obviously blossomed as he became an adult. Although I didn't know him as a radio professional, it doesn't surprise me at all to see what his colleagues thought of him. He "forced" me to attend the Giants v. Broncos Super Bowl-XXI in Pasadena with him and we went to Super Bowl XXV and XXXVII together as well. Some amazing times that will never be forgotten. His jumper in basketball was like none other and what a quick release!
All our love to Beth, Erin, Katie and Hannah as they struggle through this awful tragedy. You are all in our thoughts.
Lenny, Lisa, Bryan and Alexa
 
:'(

I had the pleasure of working for Drew for 4 years at RD. I have more respect for him than anyone I have ever worked for in the 30 years in this business. I still have my gifts he would bring back from all those business trips and the lunches he bought when I was too busy to go out and eat. He made me laugh so many times. What an awesome manager. What a huge loss.

"Go sell something!"

-Drew Rashbaum
 
As requested -

Funeral services are scheduled for Monday, August 11th at 10:30 a.m. at Congregation Schaarai Zedek, 3303 W. Swann Ave., Tampa. Family will receive visitors 45 minutes prior. In lieu of flowers, tax-deductible donations may be made to USF Foundation, Inc. memo line: Drew Rashbaum Memorial Scholarship Fund. The address is USF-CAS Office of Development, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa.

Erin Rashbaum

"A lot more people will be going to church in the coming weeks, because now Drew's up there teaching G-d how to sell." Pat George
 
:'( So many people have said so many of the same words,because all of what is said about Drew is true. I was lucky enough to have worked and known drew with my 5 years in the Florida Radio Disney Market, Drew always had this way about him he belived in everyone he worked with with he made you feel like you can take on the world that there was nothing you were not able to do, He always said we are the marketing branch of the Walt Disney Company the Biggest company in the world,he would say use that as our foundation. But it was not the just the company but it was Drew,He was and always will be our foundation. I have been out on sick leave because I had Brain Surgery, Drew called me before the surgery and said get better quick so you can go sell something!after the surgery about a month ago we spoke and the firs thing he said was now that they found out you had a brain! get back on that Mic! he always new the right thing to say, There are so many stories to tell so many amazing things to talk about he has touched my life in so many amazing ways. Erin you and your Family are in our hearts and our prayers your dad was more than a Boss he was a true friend and will be missed.

Neil Bugsy Orlikoff
 
I was very fortunate to have worked under Drew's direction on two separate occasions early in my career (at Paxson and at CBS). Taking a chance on a young kid with big dreams, Drew gave me a shot to "cut my teeth" and learn the ropes of the radio business from every angle. No matter your stature in the organization - if you were on Drew's team, there was no doubt that you mattered. In this way Drew "got it" - that great people are what the business is and should be all about.

Outside of work - a devoted husband, family man, music lover, hoops fan, and just all around "good people". This industry and the world could use more people like him.

Rest In Peace, Drew. We will miss you. Your spirit lives on in all of us.
 
Last week was a very sad week at Radio Disney. Normally at work we have pretty good time. After all we are Radio Disney and sad things don’t happen in the world of Disney. But then we lost our dear friend and colleague, Drew Rashbaum. Drew was based in his home town of Tampa. But he worked all over the nation. He was a great regional manager. His region was always able to make its goals. About a year or so ago he became the VP of sales for the stations. He had fun, he motivated people and he drove sales. He was a master of getting business closed. He was a terrific teacher and always shared his success methods.

But he was not just a radio person. First and foremost Drew was a husband and father. Drew did not wake up every day just to sell radio. Over the years I had several dinners and attended sporting events with Drew. He always talked about his three daughters. He was so very proud of them and loved them immensely. Since he was the only “guy” in the household it did give him a few jokes to tell. But he truly loved the four women in his life.

Goodbye Drew, you are missed.
 
Drew and I met when he was just out of college, working for Peggy Pendergast as an ad agency account executive. He was also writing for the Times. Over the years, we stayed in touch in a very casual way - usually meeting at conferences for a sandwich and talk about Tampa radio and Drew's family. Last time was at the RAB conference in Atlanta this past February. And, I can't believe it will be the last time.
 
To Erin, and the entire Rashbaum Family.

I am so sorry for your loss. I am the current Station Manager of Radio Disney Indianapolis. Your dad/husband hired me 5+ years ago, and although I eventually did not report to him directly [after his last promotion] he still took the time occasionally to check in and see how we were doing. Not as a boss, but just the kind, concerned person he was.

So many kind things have already been posted on this board; all true. So I'm at a bit of a loss to say anything new here, other than we all share in a much smaller way your loss. I've said before my best boss ever. A down-to-earth guy, a humble guy, a great empathizer; be very proud of him because he's touched the lives of so many. I miss him a great deal, even so far away.

I won't be at the funeral tomorrow; I'm sorry I couldn't make the trip. Please know that you are in my thoughts. Please know that he is in my thoughts, and will be for a long time.

All my thoughts and prayers,
Jim McConville
Station Manager
Radio Disney Indianapolis
 
I too have fond memories of Drew. He was always honest and spoke his mind. Two rare traits. I remember, when applying for a job at "The Team," his initial reply was, "Aren't you over-qualified?" Told him I'd take the job for the sake of working for Paxson. He hired me with an immediate pay raise. Things within the group were never the same after Clear Channel took over and Drew moved along. I believe he went to CBS for awhile and got "the new" WILD 98.7 on a sound footing. He will be missed and the family will remain inprayer.
 
:'(

To the Rashbaum family:

I opened an email last Wed from a former co-worker to find out about Drew. I was stunned. It's now been 6 days and I still tear up when I think of him. You see, he taught be how to be a manager but he also taught me so much more. I used to be the SM at RD Charlotte. He shouldn't have chosen me. There was someone else with much more experience in the running and he took a chance on me, truly giving me a huge break and taking an even larger chance. Truthfully, I wasn't the best manager by a long shot - I was inexperienced and made many mistakes - but he was ALWAYS a phone call away with wisdom, patience and a funny, kick-in-the-butt pep talk. I moved on a year ago and am still in management in radio, doing much better this time around. I have always credited Drew with teaching me not only about management but how to still have fun in radio after 14 years in the business. I considered him my mentor then, now and always. Thank you for sharing him with all of us in radio. He lives on through what he has taught us all. My prayers are with you all.

Jenifer Roser
 
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