KSMU's longtime voice of arts Randy Stewart remembered as a 'true broadcaster'

Randy Stewart, the familiar voice behind KSMU's art shows, was remembered by colleagues as a "true broadcaster" and "a legend."

Stewart, whose voice and knowledge of music stretched far and wide across the Ozarks and beyond, died late Monday, July 1, at the age of 67 from cancer.

While he was most recognized by listeners of the Friday morning show about Ozarks arts event, "Arts News," Stewart, as the fine arts producer, also produced Saturday music shows like the afternoon classical and choral tradition.

KSMU was the only place he had worked, spending 48 years at the station from when he started there as a student at then Southwest Missouri State University until he retired from full-time work this March. Despite his years-long battle with cancer, he carried on working part time at KSMU, still producing music shows and continuing Arts News as his health allowed up until only a few weeks ago, when he was feeling worse.

His colleagues from the Ozarks Public Broadcasting scene highlighted and expressed their fascination for his deep and vast knowledge of music. KSMU News Director Michele Skalicky first met him as a student herself and remembered being amazed.

"He was a legend and just one of those true broadcasters that you just admire and can't understand how he does all that he does and knows all that he knows," she said. "I think it helped me develop an even better appreciation for classical music, just seeing his love for it and seeing it through his eyes and listening to the music that he chose to put on the air."

Staying true and connected to the arts

Stewart's connection with the local art scene and work promoting Ozarks' events was also recognized formally in 2006 when he received the Springfield Regional Arts Council's Ozzie Award.

Arlen Diamond, former manager of Ozarks Public Broadcasting, said Stewart was largely self-taught and had developed his own style, voice and presentation that made radio his own. He described Stewart as "one of the best announcers in public radio" and recalls other station managers calling about Stewart after hearing his voice on radio.

"He made it seem easy," Diamond said.

Mike Smith, host and producer at KSMU, called Stewart a "true broadcaster in every sense of the word" who's knowledge extended much further than music. Smith, who met Stewart in 1980, said Stewart knew Morse code and remained true to the craft in knowing broadcast history — he could even say what microphones had been used in particular time periods. With the expansion of radio into online and streaming, Smith said Stewart had listeners from all over the world.

"He was on point and had just unbelievable knowledge of all the genres," Smith said. "Our listeners relied on Randy over the years, his reporting on arts events was just paramount."

Skalicky said that even though his expertise was in music, Stewart was always ready to jump in and help in other spheres as well, whether that involved more hard-hitting news on the music beat or on the "Sense of Community" series. Because of this ability and attitude, Diamond said Stewart had always planned to remain involved in moving KSMU and the arts forward even past his retirement.

"He was always a can-do kind of person and he was by golly, going to continue to work as much as he could," Diamond said.

Randy Stewart leaves legacy in broadcast, Ozarks art scene

There is no doubt Stewart's work promoting the arts in the Ozarks and his depth of knowledge in all things classical music and opera made the community richer. While Stewart's voice may no longer be the one to announce the newest Ozarks arts events or put together the latest classical music show, the legacy he has built will continue on.

On the same day as Stewart passed away, Skalicky said a new producer started in the position to take on the arts at KSMU — Jim Rea, a local musician himself.

"We are going to build on that ... amazing foundation that he laid, and we are going to make sure that we are a source for arts news, a source for arts information going forward," she said.

Smith said Stewart, who for many was not only a colleague but also a friend, will be kept in mind by all those who knew him and his passion for arts.

"Sometimes we gotta ask ourselves, 'What would Randy do?' and go from there," Smith said.

Stewart is survived by his wife, Tammy, whom he also met at KSMU. Funeral services were still pending.

Marta Mieze covers local government at the News-Leader. Have feedback, tips or story ideas? Contact her at mmieze@news-leader.com.