Veteran Pittsburgh Radio Personality Dies

PITTSBURGH, PA — Mark Roberts, a longtime presence on the Pittsburgh radio scene, died on Wednesday. Roberts, whose real name was Raymond Pekich, was 77.

Roberts, of Monroeville, was a mainstay as a disc jockey and administrator at the former WTAE-AM, working there from 1972 until 1985.

"General Manager when I left in 1985," Roberts stated on his LinkedIn page.

"Turned the station from a dusty old middle of the road radio station to #1 25-54 Adults with the able guidance of Cap'n Showbiz, Ted Atkins. My pleasure to work with some of the finest talent in the industry. Larry O'Brien and John Garry, Chuck Brinkman, Don Berns, Bob Dearborn, Johnny Williams, Myron Cope, Bob Kopler and many others."

Before his arrival at WTAE, Roberts worked at WIXY/WIXZ in McKeesport.

He also served as creative services director for Pittsburgh-based Renda Broadcasting.

Retired KDKA-TV reporter and anchorman Paul Martino paid tribute to Roberts on social media.

"Our dear friend has left this earth," Martino stated in a Facebook post. "I knew Mark for his dedicated work on the SAG-AFTRA Ohio-Pittsburgh Local board. He served as vice president and national rep. Our thoughts and sympathies to his wife Sandy and the family."