Doug's Place

Although I didn’t have him for a journalism class in my days at Southern Miss, I knew of Dr. Art Kaul.

I would really get to know Dr. Kaul better through dating, and later marrying, Cindy. Long after I graduated and entered “the real world”, I can remember a time Dr. Kaul called me at WDAM. He was calling on behalf of St. John Lutheran Church in Hattiesburg – requesting interview time for their upcoming Oktoberfest.

As he was making his pitch, I giggled throughout the call. I had to confess that I wasn’t laughing at the idea of Oktoberfest – I was only laughing out of giddiness over the fact I was dating a member of the church. All I had to do was mention the name “Cindy” and he immediately knew who I was talking about.

Word came that Dr. Kaul died last night after a bout with cancer. Prayer is requested for the family of Dr. Kaul, including his wife Nancy.

If God allows Oktoberfest to be celebrated in Heaven, count on Dr. Kaul and Cindy making plans. Here on Earth, the next time you’re at Oktoberfest, be it at St. John Lutheran or elsewhere, raise a glass to Dr. Kaul and Cindy.

As a widower who’s still a bit fragile after suddenly losing Cindy, I’ve been at a loss for words when I heard a radio colleague died this week.

Bob Chambers died Tuesday – an otherwise joyous day, the 13th anniversary of Rock 104. April 1st also marked my 12th year of association with Rock 104. If she were still with us, Cindy would’ve turned 36 Tuesday.

But back to Bob. He worked the overnight shift at Rock 104 for a decade. He’d later go further beyond the call of duty when he’d go upstairs to KZ94.3 to man the controls for The Rick & Bubba Show — or to 96.5 The Hub to man the controls during The Gospel Greats syndicated program.

As if that weren’t enough, he also worked at Pizza Hut. I wish I had the boxes of pizza stuffed in the station fridge to prove it. Suffice it to say, he spent his spare time sleeping.

Bob had a great, sometimes wicked, sense of humor through it all. In what proved to be the last laugh we shared, I finished watching an online clip of The Price is Right — to which Bob said something to the effect of, “Have your girlfriend spayed or neutered.”

Bob left us too soon at the age of 51. Thanks for the laughs and the memories Bob. Oh, and you know the little Mrs. you often asked me about? Tell her I said hello.