George Zeller

[ChrisSmolinski]

I received this email a short time ago. George was a legend in the world of pirate radio, he will be deeply missed.

I got an e-mail from a friend of George Zeller's who passed along tragic news of his passing in a house fire earlier this morning. Apparently, the cause of the fire was overloaded electrical outlets.
 
 
Elderly man dies in accidental, electrical fire at Cleveland home, fire department says
https://www.cleveland19.com/2021/03/20/elderly-man-dies-accidental-house-fire-caused-by-electrical-issues-cleveland-fire-says/

[ChrisLobdel]

This is sad and terrible news. When you think of those who wrote and promoted Pirate Radio over the years, George Zeller was one of them, that's for sure!  RIP George  ...  you will be missed at The Winterfest.

[LighthouseOhio]

I live about 30 minutes from George, but have no other information than what is here thus far.   As the local news is updated I will share anything worth sharing. 

George helped me a lot in my early pirate DXing days, and we emailed and called each other somewhat often about various topics.  My first invite to Winterfest was from him, but with young kids at the time I did not get there. 

[ThaDood]

WOW!!! That was a hard TEXT to get while at work today. Known George since an ACE get-together in 1990. Then, when the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame opened in Cleveland, I went to his house. He had some serious gear back in the early 1990's. Never made it to a Winterfest to see him talk at one of those, but thanks to those that posted downloadable links on The FRN, I have several of his talks. (Hmmmmmm... As a tribute this Easter coming up, I should air them.) And, of course, I remember reading his columns in The A.C.E. Newletter and Monitoring Times. May George catch the ultimate DX. (Yes... I've written the same in The FRN.)     http://www.frn.net/vines/read.php?1,8843,8843#msg-8843        And, here's what SWLing Posted,     https://swling.com/blog/2021/03/rip-george-zeller-losing-a-giant-in-our-shortwave-radio-world/#comment-663953
Additional: George's site,     http://georgezeller.com/

[atrainradio]

Wow! Terrible news. I had the pleasure of meeting him at the Philly winter SWL fest and remember it like it was yesterday.

One of America's premier SW pirates and a super nice guy.

[NJQA]

I am very sorry to hear this. 

The circumstances reminded me of the passing of Donald E. Erickson (publisher of several DX club newsletters including the IRCA DXM).

http://www.hard-core-dx.com/archive/irca/msg03421.html

[LighthouseOhio]

https://www.cleveland.com/news/2021/03/george-zeller-economist-advocate-for-the-poor-and-rta-riders-dies-in-house-fire.html?fbclid=IwAR1uF7rH25y4cjbxbfbEHqoVKxr62V_04ZnFdeeEg6hwyUJJCGDcQyghm_0

[CoolAM Radio]

RIP George.................

Check on his website-/page(s) the information
about his (Pirate-) Radio related stories

@  http://www.georgezeller.com/homepag3.htm

André
CoolAM Radio - Shortwave
the Netherlands

[Sealord]

I met George at the 2010 Winterfest - he was very nice and fun/funny to talk to.  RIP GZ

[Skipmuck]

I was saddened to hear about this tragic death of a legend in pirate radio.  You shared with us a treasure trove of information with your pirate annuals and Monitoring Times column over the years, and I would have greatly enjoyed meeting you to talk and laugh about this funny hobby we enjoy. Rest In Peace George 

https://radio.wosu.org/post/george-zeller-cleveland-economist-who-tracked-poverty-dies-71#stream/0

https://obits.cleveland.com/obituaries/cleveland/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=198133924

[TRI International]

He was a great man in the radio world to me as he was one of the few people who gave insight about the joys of the pirate radio world during my Solid Rock Radio days. He will be missed.

[LighthouseOhio]

Cleveland Plain Dealer - 24 March 2021

ZELLER

GEORGE CHARLES ZELLER

Age 71, passed away on March 20, 2021. Born in Salem, Ohio to Ward and Ruth Zeller (predeceased), George was a long time Cleveland resident.

He graduated from Salem High School in 1967 and still holds the record in the high hurdles.

He graduated from Wittenberg University with a degree in Sociology and was the high hurdles champion in the Ohio Conference in 1971. He received a Masters degree from Ohio State University and later taught at Ashland College and Mansfield Reformatory. George went on to a highly successful career as an Economic Research Analyst with the Council for Economic Opportunities in Greater Cleveland and later as a private economist and was regularly quoted y local and national media on employment and economic trends facing Ohio and the country. George also served on the Cleveland Rapid Transit Authority Citizens

Board. George was also greatly involved in the short wave community including writing columns in national magazines, speaking at national conventions, and being elected to the Pirate Radio Hall of Fame in 2011. George was the family genealogist and visited Switzerland numerous times to research ancestors. George was a diehard Cleveland sports fan. He attended Indians spring training in Arizona with his brother for years. George is survived y his sister Valerie Zeller (Peter) and brother Robert Zeller ( Julia).

[ThaDood]

Yep, they lead with that. (Thanks Caryn, KD2GUT!!!!!!)    https://www.arnewsline.org/

[LighthouseOhio]

The current edition of "Wavescan" mentions George's untimely death.

Wavescan #631 - Initially broadcasted on Sunday, March 28 and replaced on various stations through Saturday.