American sound and radio engineer Bob Heil passed away on February 28, 2024. Read on to know more about his death in detail.
Bob Heil passed away:
Bob Heil passed away after a valiant battle with cancer. He was 83 years old at the time of his death. This sad news was announced by his company on its social media page.
His company wrote about this sad news on social media. Heil Sound wrote on Facebook, “Bob fought a valiant, year-long battle with cancer, and passed peacefully surrounded by his family.”
“Driven by a lifelong passion for sound, Bob’s pioneering work revolutionized how concertgoers experienced live sound.”
Heil is the creator of the well-known Heil Talk Box, which is utilized by artists such as Joe Walsh. His innovations were invited to be displayed at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In addition, he participated actively in the amateur radio community.
According to a Radio World report at the time, Bob and Sarah Heil gave President/CEO Ash Levitt and Director of Operations Steve Warford ownership of their business in 2022.
Who was Bob Heil?
Bob was born on October 5, 1940. He was best known for having invented the model for contemporary rock sound systems.
In 1966, he established Heil Sound, a company that went on to develop distinctive touring sound systems for acts like The Who and The Grateful Dead.
In 1973, he created the Heil Talk Box, which is still in use today and was regularly used by musicians like Richie Sambora, Joe Walsh, and Peter Frampton.
As a pioneer in amateur radio, Heil produces satellite dishes and microphones for live sound engineers and broadcasters.
Heil Sound was among the pioneering American companies in the late 1980s to design and install home theater systems. Heil has delivered talks at significant electronic conferences and instructed courses at multiple universities.
In addition to receiving numerous accolades, he was invited to participate in an exhibition at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007.
Career:
As a teenager, Bob Heil started his career in audio, playing concerts as the Fox Theater in St. Louis’ house Wurlitzer theater organ player.
At the age of 14, he started performing at different local restaurants, demonstrating his skill as a proficient theater organ musician at an early age. He started playing the Wurlitzer theater organ in the Fox Theater in St. Louis as the house organist at the age of fifteen.
A company bio states that he started playing around with electronics and electronic design and was also very involved in ham radio.
In the early 1960s, he established “Ye Olde Music Shoppe” in Marissa, Illinois, and was successful in serving touring professional bands. In 1966, Heil Sound was established to supply professional touring equipment and systems, as well as system design and equipment for music festivals.
Among his inventions are modular mixing consoles, the quadrophonic mixer for the Who, and the well-known Talk Box used by Peter Frampton and Joe Walsh
Bob Heil cause of death:
After a valiant fight with cancer, Robert “Bob” G. Heil, 83, of Belleville, Illinois, passed away peacefully on February 28, 2024, at Belleville Memorial Hospital with his loving family by his side.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Shriners Children’s St. Louis or the ARRL’s (American Radio Relay League) Education & Technology Fund, benefiting the ARRL’s education initiatives in schools.
Many people expressed their profound sympathies to his family and expressed how much they loved him. The news of this occurrence has upset his supporters and fans.
Tributes to Bob Heil:
Maine Ham Radio Society posted,
Sad news. Dr. Bob Heil, K9EID, is now a silent key. An icon of amateur radio, worldwide. RIP.
Julie Staley wrote,
He was bigger than life. He was truly an original in every way, and touched the lives of thousands of people around the world for decades by just doing what he loves. If you are a music fan or radio enthusiast, chances are every day you hear something that uses one of his products, or you have seen his work featured in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum. It is with the greatest sorrow we must share that my father’s work in this world has been completed. Dr. Bob Heil died on Thursday as the family came together to surround him in love.
Tower Music posted,
RIP Bob Heil. One of the greatest innovators in our industry. I got to speak with him on the phone a couple times over the years and I can tell you he was very kind and always seemed interested in engaging in conversation beyond general formalities. He was definitely one of a kind.
Thanks Bob. For everything.
Edward Engleman wrote,
YACHT condolences to the family of Dr. Bob Heil who became a silent key (SK). Many of us have microphones and other gear from his talented radio skill. Many rock musicians use his amplifiers, etc. We will all miss Bob. I remember meeting him personally several times at ham radio gatherings. RIP….
Mark Elzey posted,
Wow so sad to hear this news electronic engineer you know him by his goal line microphones and pro 7 headsets Bob heil passed away due to a long illness he was battling rest in peace Bob silent key 73s