To know Les was to love Les

As I really don’t know where to begin I will give you an overview of this relationship in two distinct ways … as a fellow worker who I could always depend on no matter what, and more importantly, as a good friend. 
I believe our friendship was based on mutual respect and caring about each other [...]

A Gifted Radio Personality

In the late 70’s, FM radio was in its nascent stage.  Some of the folks who got involved with FM stations saw doing something different than AM as an appealing idea. Very few if any at that time were thinking about getting their hands on a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.  [...]

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 [...]

Remembering Les

From Patty Richardson:
God Bless Les’ presence in my life, small though it was – it was huge! He woke me up for over 15 years and no other man but my husband can ever get that honor. Radio hasn’t been the same since we lost him from the morning show. Yet more than [...]

Velvety Voice

From Marla and Dale Miller:
My husband and I grew up in Portland in the 50’s and 60’s and we both loved music from day one. Rock n Roll, good Rock n Roll was our favorite. In 1968 KINK radio came to be and it immediately struck a chord with both of us. Les [...]

Mary’s Miracle Moment

We all have ‘miracle moments’ in our lives. One of mine came with the unlikely opportunity of sneaking in to see Les just before he was wheeled into surgery where tumors would be removed from his lungs. My friend and I expected to see him down and out, afraid and anxious. We were there to [...]

My Big Brother

You know, I am looking at this website, a tribute to my brother’s love and efforts to make a difference in those he touched, and I am reflecting on memories that are so dear and personal. I am so touched that you keep his memory alive.
The memories and stories I believe he would want all [...]

A Man Still Rarin’ To Go

A letter from Pete Ames Carlin, Oregonian Columnist:
I got to talk to Les a few times over the winter, and though he was obviously not feeling well at the time it was cool, and inspiring, to see how much twinkle he could bring to even the most gloomy circumstances. A dark winter afternoon; a couple [...]

Snowball Fights & Stage Fright

By Cindy Hanson, Former KINK Mid-Day Host
I used to go on the air following Les and Rebecca and whenever it snowed they would try to surprise each other at the end of the newscast with a snowball. But each one knew it was coming (and so did the listeners!) I remember nearly driving off the [...]

Congressman Blumenauer Remembers Les

Congressman Blumenauer remembers Oregon radio personality Les Sarnoff in a speech on the House Floor on May 19, 2009.