Obituary: Robert Sherman: Media Personality, Musicians' Friend

Robert Sherman, longtime regional radio host, died June 27 at his home in Ossining surrounded by family, according to obituaries by WQXR, WFUV and the New York Times.

At his 90th birthday celebration in the Greene Space in 2022, noted pianist Emanuel Ax introduced Sherman as "a pianist, clarinetist, narrator, author, host of several popular shows, tour guide, and last but not certainly not least, a passionate advocate for the suspension of alternate side of the street parking."

"For nearly 70 years, Bob Sherman worked his radio magic at WQXR, wearing almost every imaginable hat along the way," WQXR officials said in an online tribute about the Sherman legacy. "Bob worked his way up the WQXR ladder from his entry level job, becoming the Director of Recorded Music, Music Director, and Program Director before becoming a show host and producer."

He created "The Young Artists Showcase," which is still running. Another of his shows, "Woody's Children," was a weekly interview show featuring musicians following in the footsteps of Woody Guthrie to explore modern folk music that aired for more than 30 years on WQXR and then nearly 24 years on WFUV. The final two episodes on WFUV aired on Jan. 22 and 29, station officials said in a tribute.

"He was New York radio's gentlest soul," Chuck Singleton, FUV's general manager, said in the announcement of Sherman's death. "He cared so much about musicians."

Sherman was born on July 23, 1932, in Manhattan to Isaac Sherman and concert pianist and teacher Nadia Reisenberg. He graduated from Stuyvesant High School and New York University and earned a master's degree in music from Teacher's College, Columbia. He joined WQXR in the 1950s as a clerk-typist. He was a music critic for The New York Times and was on the Juilliard School of Music faculty.

Sherman is survived by his partner, Jill Bloom; sons Steve and Peter; and four grandchildren, The Times said.