Former WBAL Radio traffic reporter Dave Sandler, known fondly as "Detour Dave," died Thursday after a long battle with heart and lung problems.He was 58 years old.Sandler started working at WBAL Radio and 98 Rock in 1986, where he delivered traffic updates to the Baltimore metro area for 30 years. In 2015, Sandler published a book "Taking a Detour," which covered his near-fatal heart attack in 2009 and his recovery.As recently as January, Sandler entered rehab in his fight to recover from his illnesses. 98 Rock morning show host Josh Spiegel created a GoFundMe page to help raise money for Sandler's medical costs. Sandler's wife, Jody, wrote on the page that the effort was having a positive impact on his spirits. As of Friday, the page had raised more than $28,000.Despite his illness, Sandler was very active on social media, keeping his friends, family and fans updated on his progress.John Patti, of WBAL 1090 NewsRadio, shared non-traffic memories with Sandler."Back in the '80s and '90s I had a DJ service. And the funny thing about that is Dave didn't know a whole lot about music and he admitted he didn't listen to a lot of music growing up. And I said, 'Well, we can talk about what music you need at a wedding to be successful at a wedding and a party,' and within months, Dave got it. He knew exactly what to play, he made it into a business -- Detour Dave Productions. And he did weddings and parties, up to, really, just a few months ago. He turned that into a lifelong journey and he did well with that," Patti said.Services are scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday at Sol Levinson and Bros. Inc. (8900 Reisterstown Road). Interment is private. Please omit flowers. Contributions in his memory may be sent to American Heart Association, Memorial and Tributes Processing Center, 4217 Park Place Court, Glen Allen, Virginia, 23060-9979, or Kids Helping Hopkins -- Johns Hopkins Children's Center, Office of Development, 750 E. Pratt St., Suite 1700, Baltimore, Maryland, 21202. In mourning (Shiva) at 15 Rolling Acres Way, Reisterstown, following services Sunday, then Monday and Tuesday 1-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.

Former WBAL Radio traffic reporter Dave Sandler, known fondly as "Detour Dave," died Thursday after a long battle with heart and lung problems.



He was 58 years old.


Sandler started working at WBAL Radio and 98 Rock in 1986, where he delivered traffic updates to the Baltimore metro area for 30 years. In 2015, Sandler published a book "Taking a Detour," which covered his near-fatal heart attack in 2009 and his recovery.

As recently as January, Sandler entered rehab in his fight to recover from his illnesses. 98 Rock morning show host Josh Spiegel created a GoFundMe page to help raise money for Sandler's medical costs. Sandler's wife, Jody, wrote on the page that the effort was having a positive impact on his spirits. As of Friday, the page had raised more than $28,000.

Despite his illness, Sandler was very active on social media, keeping his friends, family and fans updated on his progress.

John Patti, of WBAL 1090 NewsRadio, shared non-traffic memories with Sandler.

"Back in the '80s and '90s I had a DJ service. And the funny thing about that is Dave didn't know a whole lot about music and he admitted he didn't listen to a lot of music growing up. And I said, 'Well, we can talk about what music you need at a wedding to be successful at a wedding and a party,' and within months, Dave got it. He knew exactly what to play, he made it into a business -- Detour Dave Productions. And he did weddings and parties, up to, really, just a few months ago. He turned that into a lifelong journey and he did well with that," Patti said.

Services are scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday at Sol Levinson and Bros. Inc. (8900 Reisterstown Road). Interment is private.

Please omit flowers. Contributions in his memory may be sent to American Heart Association, Memorial and Tributes Processing Center, 4217 Park Place Court, Glen Allen, Virginia, 23060-9979, or Kids Helping Hopkins -- Johns Hopkins Children's Center, Office of Development, 750 E. Pratt St., Suite 1700, Baltimore, Maryland, 21202.

In mourning (Shiva) at 15 Rolling Acres Way, Reisterstown, following services Sunday, then Monday and Tuesday 1-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.

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I spent many days in Baltimore beltway traffic with @wbalradio Detour Dave as my navigator. I know you are now on the highway to heaven. God Bless Dave Sandler. pic.twitter.com/oll80gbN7Q — Jordan Wertlieb (@JWertlieb) March 15, 2019

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My friend & radio bro @detourdave_ Sandler died tonight. He'd been battling,it was tough to watch. When I was at UMCP his brother Doug was my roommate. Dave and I worked together @98Rock for years. He was a gentle, good man. My heart aches for his family — Kirkster (@KirkMcEwen) March 15, 2019

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I will miss my friend and former radio colleague @detourdave_ terribly Our conversations on Sundays during shifts were fun & enlightening. Your positivity always rubbed off on many @wbalradio @98Rock listeners as well as friends and strangers. You can rest now my special friend pic.twitter.com/67yGPIHLZ3 — Anne Kramer WBAL (@AnneKramerWBAL) March 15, 2019

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Our friend and former colleague Dave Sandler passed away late last night. We loved his calm and focused approach to his work. @wbalradio morning team will pay tribute to "Detour Dave" on the air this morning. — John Patti (@JohnPattiWBAL) March 15, 2019

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This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.