Radio Host, 'Voice of Reason' Ron Smith Dies

Longtime WBAL Radio host Ron Smith has died following a brief, public battle with pancreatic cancer, the station announced Monday evening.

Smith died in hospice care at his Shrewsbury, PA home surrounded by his wife and family, according to the station. He was 70.

Smith's family will hold a private funeral, with a public memorial service to be announced.

The Baltimore Sun has published an obituary of Smith, who spent 26 years at WBAL Radio and several years as an anchor on WBAL-TV. From 2008 until this October, he also wrote a column in the Sun.

Smith was born Dec. 2, 1941 in Troy, NY. His experience included time in the Marine Corps and early broadcasting jobs in Haverhill, MA and Albany, NY.

In October, Smith announced on his morning talk show he had been diagnosed with stage-four pancreatic cancer, and said he would continue his show while pursuing treatment. In November, Smith announced that and that he would continue to do the show as often as he felt well. Later that month, he retired,