Dish-Houston

THE RECOGNIZABLE VOICE OF HOUSTON RADIO ICON

MARTY AMBROSE IS SILENCED

You knew his voice and his name, and probably associate them with a traffic jam or an overturned 18 wheeler. In fact, in the mid 70’s he was instrumental in shaping how traffic conditions would forever be reported in the nations fourth largest city. After almost 40 years as Houston’s Dean of Traffic Reporters, radio icon Marty Ambrose has died.

In April, the 69 year old radio personality was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or ALS, a disease of the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary muscle movement. ALS is also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. As the disease progressed quickly through his body, Ambrose remained positive. “I apparently have had this for years – now I just have to play the cards I was dealt. And while I still can, I’d like to educate others about the warning signs I missed.” he said. As late as April of this year, despite his illness, Marty Ambrose was still active as a traffic reporter on KUHF, Houston Public Radio.

As one of the city’s most recognizable names, Marty began reaching out to help his fellow Houstonians. For over thirty years, in addition to working with schools and churches, he hosted over two dozen golf tournaments and served as emcee, auctioneer or a board member to charities including MDA, Arthritis, Leukemia, Cystic Fibrosis, Star of Hope, the Sharma Foundation and  MS. He was a member of the American Softball Assoc Hall of Fame and a 2010 nominee to the Texas Radio Hall of Fame.

Funeral arrangements are to be announced.