CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Longtime WXRT radio personality Lin Brehmer has died at the age of 68.
In July 2022, Brehmer took a leave of absence from his midday program. He had lived with prostate cancer for several years, but the cancer had spread. Terri Hemmert, who’s been at WXRT for over 45 years, wrote that Brehmer had passed “early Sunday morning, peacefully, with his wife and son by his side.”
“It is with a heavy heart that we must inform you that we all lost our best friend,” Hemmert wrote. “Lin Brehmer fought cancer as long as he could … We’ll hold each other up through this heartbreaking time. Lin would want that. Take nothing for granted.”
When Brehmer announced his leave of absence in July, he signed off with his classic mantra to listeners.
“The reason I do it, you really ought to know, it’s really all for the love of rock and roll,” he said. “Take nothing for granted. It’s F-period-great to be alive.”
In late November and December, Brehmer returned to the airwaves for a few weeks. Prior to his return, he told WBBM that, given his treatment, he didn’t think he could travel to Italy or France. But, he added, “I can do a radio show.”
On Sunday, many Chicagoans mourned and remembered Brehmer, including the Chicago Cubs.
On social media, listeners shared fond memories of being stuck in traffic and catching the start of a "Lins Bins" episode. One described Brehmer as a person "you felt [like] you knew, even if you didn't know him."
Steve Miller wrote on Twitter that he had the opportunity to meet Brehmer a couple of times.
"He was a true mensch," Miller wrote. "Smart, funny and, above all, kind. May his memory be a blessing."
Hemmert wrote that on Monday at 10 a.m., “Brehmer’s XRT family will celebrate the incredible life of our best friend in the whole world.”
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