Afternoon radio host and Assistant Program Director Justin Cooper, known publicly as Ian McCain, died Monday after a brief illness. He was 54.
Cooper held the positions at WLUM since 2011 and also served as the Digital Program Director for the whole Milwaukee Radio Alliance cluster.
“Ian’s passing has created a massive void in our hallways and our hearts,” said Michelle Rutkowski, Vice President of Programming and Operations. “His spirit, his love of music, his sheer volume, and his wickedly funny wit have left an indelible mark on the MRA, our partners, and our listeners. It’s been our absolute privilege to have called him our co-worker and, more importantly, our friend for the last 13 years.”
An Omaha, Nebraska native, Cooper previously worked in WKQX and AOL Music in Chicago, KJMY/KSOY and KJQN in Salt Lake City, KKNB-KSLI in Lincoln, Nebraska, KMYZ in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Saga Communications in Des Moines, Iowa, KNRX in Kansas City, and KJDE in Omaha.
A spokesperson for the family said, “We want to thank all of the people who knew and cared for Justin. Milwaukee welcomed him in with open arms and he returned that embrace with all of his heart. We so appreciate all of the love and support the city has always given him, and now to us in this heartbreaking time.”
Information about services has not yet been published.
