Memorial for Ron Smith held at Goucher College (video)

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800 family, fans and colleagues gathered at Goucher College in MD to remember “The Voice of Reason,” WBAL talker Ron Smith 1/17. Smith, who died in December at age 70, lived his final weeks and months after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in October.
 
Among those offering eulogies during the celebration of Ron’s life were Dr. Bill Howard, Blair Lee of the Montgomery Gazette, Stan Stovall, anchor of WBAL TV, Gerry Sandusky, Sports Director at WBAL TV, and Jonathan Murray, WBAL financial analyst.


Dr. Bill Howard: 

Ed Kiernan, Vice President and General Manager of WBAL Radio: 

WBAL TV’s Stan Stovall: 

Jonathan Murray:

Gerry Sandusky:

Blair Lee of the Montgomery Gazette:

Ron was touched and buoyed by the response and support from so many people after he shared his diagnosis with his WBAL listeners. It was that outpouring of support that encouraged the Smiths and WBAL to plan the special tribute.

The Montebello String Quartet performed various selections of Ron’s favorite classical music.  The quartet also performed a custom composition of “The Ron Smith Show” theme that was arranged by Jari Villanueva, Director of the Maryland National Honor Guard.

Greg Bianco, a former producer for Ron Smith at WBAL, sang Ava Maria during the tribute.

The gathering of family, friends and loyal Ron Smith listeners ended with a video montage of photos of Ron and his family and friends that was put to U2’s “Beautiful Day”.

U.S. Senators Barbara Mikulski and Ben Cardin, Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger, Comptroller Peter Franchot, and former Governor Robert Ehrlich were among the dignitaries in attendance.