Buffalo, NY — The Western New York media community is in mourning following the passing of Art Wander, a towering figure in broadcasting whose voice, warmth, and personality became part of the soundtrack of life for generations of listeners. Inducted into the Buffalo Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame in 2008, Wander’s career spanned decades, crossing genres, formats, and even cities — yet always staying rooted in the heart of Buffalo.
A proud son of Buffalo’s east side, Art’s story was as rich and varied as the city he loved. An accomplished pianist, he embraced his Polish heritage, had a lifelong passion for sports, and found his calling behind a microphone. After serving in the U.S. Navy, he began producing radio programs for the Veterans Administration hospital system, blending his dedication to service with an emerging gift for communication.
In 1956, Art joined WKBW Radio as a news reporter, working alongside the legendary Irv Weinstein, a former roommate from their early days in West Virginia broadcasting. His reporting was sharp, his delivery engaging, and his style unmistakable.
By the early 1960s, Art’s talents carried him to New York City, where he became a prominent voice at WOR-FM, one of the nation’s top album rock stations. His career put him in the front row of cultural history — covering The Beatles’ iconic Shea Stadium concert and building a professional friendship with their famed manager, Brian Epstein. Whether he was delivering breaking news, discussing sports, or covering music’s biggest moments, Art’s voice was as versatile as it was authentic.
Yet for all his success in larger markets, Buffalo was always home. He returned often, reconnecting with colleagues and fans, and his deep ties to the community made him as much a neighbor as a broadcasting legend.
“Art was so much more than what people heard on the radio or saw on TV,” remembered fellow broadcaster Bob Koshinski. “He was a friend, a mentor, and someone who carried Buffalo in his heart no matter where life took him.”
The Buffalo Broadcasters Association will remember Art Wander not just for the milestones of his career, but for the humor, generosity, and human connection he brought to every encounter. His passing leaves a silence on the airwaves — and in the hearts of those who knew him — that cannot be filled.
In honoring his life, the community celebrates a man whose legacy is woven into Buffalo’s media history, and whose voice will echo in memory long after the microphones have gone quiet.