Casey Kasem died Sunday morning, June 15, at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Gig Harbor, Washington. The legendary broadcaster was taken off life support at age 82.
Kasem suffered from a progressive form of dementia known as Lewy Body Disease.
On June 11, a Los Angeles judge ruled that Kasem’s daughter could resume end of life proceedings, withholding food, fluids and medication, on the understanding that he was mentally incapacitated and life support would only prolong his pain.
His death Sunday morning followed years of feuding between his children and second wife, Jean. In October of 2013, Kasem’s children claimed that Jean would not allow them to see their father, staging a protest with signs that read “Let Casey See His Kids.” Eventually, they came to a private settlement which allowed for visitation.
The news was initially announced by Kasem’s daughter, Kerri, who addressed her father’s death on Facebook.
Kasem will be remembered as the “the king of countdowns.” He was best known for his work on the “American Top 40″ radio show, which he hosted from 1970 to 1988, and again from 1998 until 2004, when he passed the job on to Ryan Seacrest. Kasem was also a talented voice-over artist, most famously voicing Scooby-Doo’s pal, Shaggy.
He retired from radio at the age of 77, making his final countdown on July 4, 2009.
Kasem is survived by his children, Mike, Julie, and Kerri, whom he had with his first wife, Julie Meyer. He is also survived by his second wife Jean, with whom he had a daughter, Liberty.
