Irv Homer dies
"Evil Irv," a pioneering talk-show host in town, was stricken during an appearance at Eastern University and taken to Bryn Mawr Hospital.
Irv Homer dies
Michael Klein, Philly.com
Irv Homer, the longtime talk-show host whose gruffness belied a soft spot for sick children, died tonight after he was stricken during an appearance at Eastern University in St. Davids.
His age is being reported at 86, but public records say he was 85.
Homer, who lived in Feasterville, fielded calls and sparred with listeners on WWDB from 1975 until its format was flipped in 2000. After that, he joined WBCB in Levittown -- hired by Merrill Reese -- and did shifts on WPHT.
Homer hosted an Internet show as recently as Wednesday, and was a contributor to Inside Story on 6ABC. He was a guest as part of a financial literacy series at Eastern, at which old friend G. Edward Griffin was speaking about The Creature from Jekyll Island, his book about the Federal Reserve.
Homer, who relished his nickname as "Evil Irv," got into the biz as a bar owner in the 1960s who liked calling in to talk shows. He was inducted into the Broadcast Pioneers hall of fame and in 1972 ran for vice president as a Libertarian.
His pet project was the Sunshine Foundation, which grants the wishes of terminally and chronically ill children and their families. He was a national vice president of the organization.
I'll post funeral information when it's available.
another great talker gone a end of an era great that he went out doing what he loved rip— jr23- Irv Homer was a Philadelphia talk radio icon, who was probably one of the smartest men alive. I listened to him for many years and was always amazed how he could size up people and issues. I met him once and he was a great person. He will be sorely missed. God Bless you Irv and rest in peace.— BillyBob369
- I had the pleasure of producing for him for a short time at WWDB. He was a very intersting and sprited man who held to his convictions. May he Rest in Peace. Truly one of a kind!— lt75
- What a great man. I first called Irv many years ago, to challenge him, he said he was wrong and apologized. After that, we became great friends, him always inviting me to lunch, saying I was gonna pay next time and "I owed him", but everytime we went, my money was no good. I will miss you my dear friend.— DarkSpark
- Very intelligent and entertaining, but most of all a mensch.— The Baron
"it boggles the mind." I used to listen to him on WWDB 96.5 back in the day and always found him to be entertaining, plus he was a regular on Channel 6's "inside edition" Sunday AM show. He was an old curmudgeon whose opinions I always respected.- I'll miss you 'Oh Evil One'. Boggles the mind.— mugsy-mugsy-mugsy
- Dominic Quinn, Dr. Jim Corea, and now Uncle Irv...all gone, and so is the golden age of Philly talk radio. No offense to the current staffers at WPHT, but nothing compares to DB in its prime. Irv Homer was more than a talk show host. He was a Philadelphia icon, who had a heart as big as the rest of his large frame. God bless you, Uncle Irv. May the angels come to take you home to the Lord.— David52
- Let's honor a man who sent people to the worst deli in Philadelphia, Greenman's. At the bottom of Glen Macnow's Hoagie Hunt list. If there is a worse sandwich than Greenman's I haven't found it yet.— Drew777
Uncle Irv, you told more truth about life in our city and our country in an afternoon that most politicians manage in a lifetime. Your character is pure Philadelphia, a freeman in a free country whose thoughts were free. You confronted the patina of respectability masquerading as the establishment. You informed, you educated, you scolded and insulted and I never enjoyed anyone getting in my face, intellectually speaking, more than you. Great men produce great sons through struggle and conflict, meted out in good faith with love and well wishing thoughts. You never gave us more than our own inner strength could bear, and by challenging us, you help us to discover just how much inner strength we had along. You will be missed.- Evil Irving and Wynne Moore.. what class at WWDB.
- Evil Irving and Wynne Moore.. what class at WWDB.
- Evil Irving and Wynne Moore.. what class at WWDB.
- D'oh!— bogas6
- I remember he was the guest speaker at an air freight forwarder dinner and one of the prizes my company donated was a black and white TV (this was in the early 1990's)- he described the tv as "a color tv, two colors, black and white." It was just cute and funny. A really nice guy. I also remember him always calling ignorant people "boobus americus." Rest in peace Irv, you will be missed.— Rowan Morrison
