Milwaukee Brewers' former longtime public address announcer Robb Edwards has died

Robb Edwards, the Milwaukee Brewers' former longtime public address announcer who was also a well-known local radio host for decades, has died.

Edwards died June 26 at age 79. Funeral services are pending.

"The entire Brewers organization sends condolences to the family of Robb Edwards," the Brewers wrote on social media Friday.

A moment of silence took place before Friday's Brewers-Cubs game at American Family Field.

Robb Edwards' career spanned decades on the radio and with the Brewers

Edwards was the Brewers' stadium public address announcer from 1998 to 2019.

Before that, radio was where he became a household name in the Milwaukee area.

Edwards joined WTMJ-AM (620) in 1979 and hosted a morning show at the station for 15 years until 2000. Edwards also spent time at WOKY-AM and WRIT-AM in Milwaukee. His last radio job was in 2007 at WOKY-AM.

“Robb’s career was unique in many ways," said former WTMJ general manager Steve Wexler in a statement . "He did what is very difficult to do: he evolved and remained a relevant and beloved personality and member of the Milwaukee community over decades. Robb’s familiar and friendly voice made us all feel good. Off the air, he was just as warm and fun. Robb set the bar high for professionalism and inspired and influenced generations of broadcasters. I join Robb’s legions of fans in sending condolences to his family."

Three months after his retirement from the Brewers, the stadium's scoreboard control room was named in his honor on Dec. 12, 2019.

Edwards suceeded Bob Betts, another radio legend in Milwaukee who also made his mark as the Brewers' public address announcer.

Betts, who was Edwards' instructor and mentor, died in late 1998. Edwards filled in for Betts during the 1998 season and then landed the full-time job in 1999.

Edwards' voice was symbolic with games for multiple generations of fans at Brewers home games, first at County Stadium and then for 19 years at Miller Park.

Edwards threw out the ceremonial first pitch before his final game in September 2019. The Brewers played the Chicago Cubs, the team that Edwards grew up cheering for, that night.

Robb Edwards remembered for his kindness, dedication to work on radio and with the Brewers

Tributes poured in across Wisconsin, including many in the radio and sports business.

One came from another Milwaukee radio legend, Gene Mueller, who retired in 2021 after 40 years working in Milwaukee radio .

"Robb was the ultimate pro on his WTMJ morning show but supremely down to earth in the hallways off the air: funny, approachable, eager to share tales from his storied broadcast life," Mueller wrote on Facebook . "He seamlessly took over Miller Park PA duties from the legendary Bob Betts, an opportunity that allowed him to spread his professional wings while basking in the glow of a sport he loved.”

Mueller filled in for Edwards early in the 2008 season as the PA announcer at Miller Park after Edwards sufferd a heart attack.

"I was told to expect a run that could last months as Robb recovered from bypass surgery," Mueller recalled in his Facebook post. "Ha! Robb was back by the end of the month: hale, hearty and happy as hell to be back, doing what he loved."

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee Brewers' former longtime public address announcer Robb Edwards has died