Edmonton City in Alberta, Canada – Edmonton’s broadcasting community is mourning the loss of Bruce Bowie, a veteran radio host whose voice helped define local morning radio for decades. Bowie, best known as a cherished on-air personality at 630 CHED, died recently, prompting an outpouring of tributes from colleagues, listeners, and friends across Alberta and beyond.
Bowie’s career spanned generations of radio listeners. Known for his cheerful delivery, sharp wit, and deep connection to local issues, he was widely regarded as one of the station’s legendary “Good Guys”—a term reserved for broadcasters who earned lasting trust and affection from their audience. His influence extended beyond the microphone, shaping newsroom culture and mentoring younger announcers who followed in his footsteps.
“We’ve lost a great soul,” wrote fellow broadcaster Dave Michaels, who worked alongside Bowie. “Edmonton is now without the cheerful, humorous, witty, topical morning personality Bruce Bowie. He was the cream of the crop—the best of the best.” Michaels recalled Bowie as a mentor whose professionalism set the standard for local radio excellence.
Others echoed that sentiment. “My heart is broken,” shared Cathy Robinson Schoettle, while longtime collaborator Chris Scheetz described Bowie as “the hardest working and most talented person I had the privilege of working with.” Scheetz also credited Bowie with inspiring a major personal transformation, including taking up running—a journey that led them to log thousands of kilometers together in Edmonton’s river valley and complete two marathons side by side.
Born in Piapot, Saskatchewan, Bowie studied Chemical Technology at SAIT before finding his calling in radio—a reminder of the unconventional paths many broadcasters of his era took into media. Colleagues say his Christian values quietly informed his kindness, humility, and consistency, qualities that resonated both on and off the air.
In an age when radio faces increasing competition from digital platforms, Bowie’s legacy underscores why local voices still matter. His ability to connect authentically with listeners helped build community trust—an increasingly rare asset in modern media.
As Edmonton reflects on his passing, one theme stands out: Bruce Bowie was not just a broadcaster, but a steady presence in daily life. As Scheetz put it, “Just like that old Buick he loved, there will never be another like Bruce Bowie.”
