HOLLAND (WHTC-AM/FM) — Veteran broadcaster Edwin Lee Ver Schure has died. He was 76. (See photo gallery.)
Mr. Ver Schure started his career in 1963 at WHTC, moving in 1971 to WGRD and then to WLAV in Grand Rapids in 1972. Almost everyone called him “Ed” or “Eddie,” and sometimes, “Uncle Eddie.”
He was born on March 25, 1945, to a critically ill mother in Grand Haven, who died three days later. His biological father gave him up for adoption by Fred and Wilma Ver Schure of Holland. Ed grew up on the 200 block of 28th Street in Holland, with a younger sister Mary Lou Ver Schure, all of whom preceded him in death. He graduated from Holland Christian High School in 1963. Later in life he met his biological brother who, in a twist of fate, was also named Ed.
After a 33-year stint at WZZM TV-13 in Grand Rapids, as a booth announcer, weather announcer, and late-night anchor, he bought and operated WEVS 92.7 FM — now 92.7 The Van — in Saugatuck in 1987.
Ed also hosted a three-hour afternoon talk show on WHTC in Holland, from 2000-2010. His guests included Ron Paul, Tony Orlando, Ronnie Milsap, Joe Theisman, Ed McMahon and other personalities, all of whom he found fascinating.
Starting in March, 2016, he hosted WHTC’s Talk of the Town, replacing the legendary Juke VanOss.
“Ed was a valued member of the staff for many years filling a variety of on-air roles,” said Kevin Oswald, Holland’s market manager for Midwest Communications, WHTC and The Van’s parent company. “When Juke Van Oss passed in 2016, Ed was the natural choice to take over as host of Talk of the Town until his health prevented him from doing so. Ed was naturally upbeat, easy-going, and had a great rapport with his audience whether on-air or as a host of numerous dances, car shows, and other events over many years.”
During the 1960s, Ed played keyboards in bands and had a recording studio. Among the artists, whose records he helped produced was a Muskegon-based group called The Aardvarks’ third single, “Cherrie, Can’t You Tell” 1967, and its B-side “Let’s Move Together”, which appeared on Forte Records, a vanity label for the group, according to the band’s wiki page.
His career spanned rapidly changing technology, from analog reel-to-reel recording tape to a digital world in which radio people get in front of a camera, as Mr. Ver Schure did, despite his illness making him slightly unsteady on his feet, for a guided tour of the newly renovated Holland Civic Center Place in 2018: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StUOhkaA7RQ. He recalled his days of hosting concerts featuring such pop bands as Tommy James — who they surprised with a visit from his mom, a Niles resident, and The Hollies, in the Civic Center’s early days.
Ed Ver Schure loved music, particularly oldies, and working as the DJ for classic-car shows, dances and other events around West Michigan. He loved dogs and cars to distraction, and was happiest when visiting with friends and entertaining others, especially if the time involved music. He likes a good joke, too, said morning on-call host Chris Alan, who wrote:
“People in broadcasting are not always kind. Ed was always nice to me, even back when I was just a kid that had no idea what I was doing. He helped teach me to not only be a professional but to have fun when out and about, be it for broadcasting from the CVB for Tulip Time, doing a remote, or just representing the stations for a concert,” Alan wrote, adding, “He took me for a ride in his Honda S200 convertible one time when I was younger. We got to a stoplight and he started coughing so bad. This group of older ladies was looking at us and in between his coughing he screamed in the most gravelly voice, ‘Hand me another cigarette!’ Ed didn’t smoke, at least at this point in his life. We both died laughing so hard.”
Other colleagues shared memories via email:
Greg Chandler: “I loved talking radio and music with him. He always had great stories (including the one where Alice Cooper did a concert at the Civic Center and he was the promoter). He was my producer when I hosted The Breakfast Club talk show from Saugatuck a few years ago. A true professional.”
Scott Watson: “I think I first met Ed on a Summer Saturday evening in 1983 or 84. Ed was working at a TV station in GR (WZZM?) as a switcher or producer. He filled in and did a ton of production work for WHTC and WYXX. He was hilarious, talented, mercurial, knowing and always always willing to lend a hand if it made me better. Funny who we look up to all these tears later. I’m glad I knew him- if only a little. Finally, WYXX hosted a Hole in One contest in about 1986. Ed was broadcasting the cut ins. He was dead set against hitting a golf ball in front of 3-4 dozen people. Either Howie or Chris eventually talked him into it. Let’s just say I remember it all these years later.”
Mike Coleman: “I truly loved his spirit and humor. I loved how he always talked me into getting him McDonalds when we worked together, that man was an icon in broadcasting. What stories! This cheeseburger fries and soda are for you my friend! RIP ED!”
Dan Spadafora, former WHTC morning host and brand manager: “I only worked with Ed for a couple years, but from the day that I met him he was always smiling, always trying to help. He had a love for radio that few can truly understand or appreciate, but it was his love for others that can never be misunderstood. Sad day for Holland and WHTC. I’ll miss you, my friend.”
JC Norton: “I worked with Ed at WZZM. He was always very nice. Really enjoyed taking music with him. May he rest in peace.”
Regular WHTC guest Sally Laukitis shared one of her favorite memories: “Ed sitting outside behind the former Lincoln Mercury dealership on 8th Street, playing great “oldies music” and chatting up a storm during the annual Holland Vintage Car Club ‘Remember When’ Car Show and Cruise, while locals and visitors admired the beautifully restored cars from their past. Ed was as much of an attraction as the cars!!”
His fans shared memories on WHTC’s Facebook page, as well:
- Rick Van Slooten: “Nice man. Always asked me about my huskies when I was walking the dogs. He will be missed.”
- Ron Chavez: “Oh no, “old uncle” Eddie of the airwaves is gone from us…, we loved him very much! What a great loving and caring guy. I know my family will miss him greatly. Prayers going out to him, his family and friends.., also his dog that was at his side for years. Your voice will be missed Ed!”
- Barb Long: “Car shows will not be the same without him. He knew music like no other!”
- Billy Nies: “Rest in peace my man. Thank you for all you’ve done.”
- Myrt DeVries: “Always enjoyed talking with him at McDonalds.”
- Dawn Kiefer Daugherty: “Legendary voice, legendary man. Rest In Peace, Ed.”
- Marlene Bos: “I loved his “drive” time when he would identify and play the oldies. Remember when dj’s could do that?”
- Barbara Aalderink: “RIP Ed. I loved helping you set up for the car shows and you always played the incredible music.”
- The HUGE Show: “A radio legend.”
- Maria E Silva-Quintanilla: “May he rest in peace.”
- Bryan Cramer: “Ed will be missed. His voice was perfect for radio, very easy to listen to. When I was in the studio it was just his voice and mine, talking about what needed to be talked about while the audience listened. His voice is engrained in my head forever.”
Funeral arrangements are pending at Dykstra’s Mulder Chapel.
