Bob Kieve

Note from Nate Deaton -KRTY General Manager:

It is with heavy heart that I send this note that our beloved Bob Kieve has passed this morning at age 98 (May 25,2020). Bob was not only the founder of this company, but the mentor to so many of us. His legacy to our stations and each of us individually would be impossible to measure. Speaking purely for myself, there is no possible way I would have the career I do without his guidance and amazing support these last 27 years.

Our thoughts go to his daughter Lenoir and all of the people who feel like family to him. Please take a moment this Holiday weekend to share at least one of your favorite Bob Kieve stories with your family.

Beyond our loss, Bob’s legacy to this community is truly unparalleled. He was a leader, a benefactor and indeed a true friend to San Jose.

Read the San Jose Mercury News Article…

Remembering Bob Kieve, a champion for San Jose – By SAL PIZARRO

If you have a message you would like to share, or a tribute, please fill out the form below and we will review it and post it here. THANK YOU!

“I have been a fan of Bob Kieve since moving to the South Bay in the early 80s. I listened to KLIV and I’m still a fan of KRTY. I even remember the KARA station. Bob was active in the Silicon Valley Leadership Group for many years. I met him on several trips that SVLG organized for advocay in Sacramento on issues of importance to the South Bay.
On one such occasion, as we were standing in the capital building, waiting for the elevator, he looked at the stairs and lead our entire group up the stairs to the 5th floor! He was in his late 80s at the time.Ever energetic, ever polite, he had a wonderful way of messaging. I used to enjoy his personal commentary on KLIV. What a wonderful man.” – Diane Matulich

“I was a board op for KARA back in the late 80s. He was always there at night when I was working. One time I had cut myself cutting my salad veggies and wandered to his office seeing where I might find a bandaid. He said “You must cut away from yourself!” And I have never forgotten that. Every time to this day when I am cutting something in my kitchen, I hear his words echo. He was always a joy to chat with and very kind. God rest his bow-tied soul!” – Marian Stevens

Brief Timeline:

1943-47 information officer, American embassy, Madrid
1948-52 writer CBS NYC
1953-55 writer Eisenhower White House staff. 1955-56 Spec Asst to Deputy Director of US information office. 1956 Spec Asst in White House Office.
1957-67 gen mgr radio stations WBBF-AM-FM. Rochester NY.
1967-2020 President Empire Broadcasting Corp, San Jose CA

Active in San Jose community activities: serves or served as director on boards of Symphony Silicon Valley, San Jose Rotary Club (president 1991), San Jose Chamber of Commerce (chair 1996); Lincoln Law School, Silicon Valley Leadership Foundation.

KLIV-AM went dark in January of 2019. Currently, Bob Kieve want to give the signal and station liciences to the City of San Jose.