We Keep His Spirit Alive

This is a wonderful tribute to Les! Thanks for the opportunity.

I had the pleasure of working with Les off and on (mostly on) for nearly 20 years. He was always already at the station when I arrived in the wee hours of the morning, drawing on newspapers, internet, TV, any source he could find, to put funny, interesting, or necessary information on the air, waking everybody up with his velvet voice. He did more good than you can imagine—always saying yes whenever anybody asked him to mention something on the air, or emcee their event.

It is impossible to estimate the impact he had on our community—as a radio DJ, event host, fundraiser for worthy causes, son, brother, husband, friend. From daily Morning Show adventures, running Hood-to-Coast, and reporting on poverty from the Dominican Republic, Les made it easy to be a partner in any experience. He could always find the silver lining, see a way to get over the hurdle, or think up a compromise in a tricky situation.

If each of us can keep a nugget of that “Les attitude,” we can continue his influence in the world around Portland. He’s not really gone when we keep his spirit alive.

Rita, you are in my heart.

~ Rebecca