Bob Edwards, Louisville native and legendary voice of NPR's 'Morning Edition,' dies at 76

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Bob Edwards, the longtime host of NPR's "Morning Edition," has died.

NPR posted Monday that the veteran broadcaster had died at 76. The Louisville native was a distinctive and trusted voice for NPR's morning program for more than 24 years.

Edwards was best known for hosting "All Things Considered" with Susan Stamberg. The show won a Peabody Institutional Award for excellence in broadcasting in 2000.

Edwards grew up in Louisville, attended St. Xavier High School and attended night classes at the University of Louisville. During his senior year, he started his radio career at WHEL in New Albany, according to his bio in the UofL Hall of Fame.

After being drafted into the U.S. Army, Edwards produced and anchored TV and radio news for the American Forces Korea Network in Seoul.

Following his military service, Edwards moved to Washington, D.C., and worked at an all-news CBS affiliate while he earned a masters degree in broadcast journalism from American University.

Edwards joined NPR in 1974 and was co-host of "All Things Considered" until 1979, when he helped launch "Morning Edition."

He left NPR in 2004 and went on to host an interview show on XM Radio. He also hosted "Bob Edwards Weekend" on many public radio stations, which featured in-depth interviews with newsmakers, journalists and other notable figures.

Edwards was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2004.

In addition to his radio career, Edwards authored two books: "Fridays with Red," which chronicled his radio friendship with legendary sportscaster Red Barber, and "Edward R. Murrow and the Birth of Broadcast Journalism."

Plans for a memorial service have not been announced.