Outpouring of grief after Des Moines broadcaster Larry Cotlar dies in flash flood

Des Moines Register

Larry Cotlar, the longtime Des Moines sports radio personality and Drake men's basketball broadcaster, was killed during Saturday's flash flooding in Des Moines, police said.

Around 8:50 p.m. on Saturday, Des Moines police were called about a stalled van with people inside in the flooded streets at 50th Street and Twana Drive. As officers headed there, it was reported that the occupants had left the van, and that one person had been swept away.

Officers and rescue personnel from the Des Moines Fire Department immediately began a search of the area.

Around 12:39 a.m. on Sunday, first responders found Cotlar, 66, deceased, several blocks away from the original call.

Cotlar's biography on his website says his professional career began in 1974 and started doing talk radio in 1981. He was the 2007 Iowa Sportscaster of the Year. His "Cotlar and Company" show ran on KXNO-AM 1460 from 2001 to 2009; he's also appeared on 1700 and 1350 AM.

He started broadcasting Drake men's basketball, originally with Drake legend Dolph Pulliam, in 2005.

The website biography says he is married with two sons.

His 2015 book "The Biggest Rolodex in Sports" highlighted his interviews with Hall of Fame players such as Hank Aaron, Stan Musial, Joe Montana and Wayne Gretzky.

"They'll read about people they know," Cotlar said in 2015. "I've got chapters on (Jim) Zabel. I've got a chapter on Dolph (Pulliam). I've got a chapter on Hayden Fry.

"I've got a chapter on Drake's 2007-08 (men's basketball) team. And national people, too."

More from the Register:

Condolences came quickly on Twitter after Cotlar's death was announced Sunday:

A sad day for all of Bulldog Nation. Rest In Peace Larry - https://t.co/F9ESwxYRwf — Marty Martin (@drakepresident) July 1, 2018

Drake University and the @DUBulldogs community offers its condolences to the family of Larry Cotlar, who passed away overnight during flooding in Des Moines. Cotlar was play-by-play announcer for @DrakeBulldogsMB since 2005-06 and analyst @DrakeBulldogsFB since 2013. pic.twitter.com/izvIIDf962 — Drake University (@DrakeUniversity) July 1, 2018

So saddened to learn about the passing of Larry Cotlar during last night’s floods. Larry was a fixture in the Des Moines sports community for decades. Whenever he came to the ballpark, we grew to expect a smile on his face and a good conversation to be had.



Rest In Peace, Larry. — Iowa Cubs (@IowaCubs) July 1, 2018

Larry Cotlar cared about all, and that's why many of his colleagues paused to remember him today. pic.twitter.com/jwaz82JVg4 — Michael Admire (@Admire_OnAir) July 2, 2018

To look up and see this on Broadway is so far from what I thought possible.



I wish Larry Cotlar’s name would have scrolled across Times Square for a much happier reason.



As well as he treated everyone, Larry deserved that much. pic.twitter.com/vI1kDPDZH3 — Scott Siepker (@scottsiepker) July 1, 2018

Larry Cotlar sent me this email Friday morning. I’m sharing it because it exemplifies who he was: a loyal, passionate supporter of @DUBulldogs who wanted to help us any way he could. I’m sad we won’t be able to have the conversation referenced in the letter below. Larry did... pic.twitter.com/RIxktiCIto — Brian Hardin (@DrakeADHardin) July 1, 2018

A statement on our friend, Larry Cotlar. pic.twitter.com/lMsSqe6LwY — 1350 ESPN (@ESPNDSM) July 1, 2018

Crushed to learn the man who was swept away and drowned is Larry Cotlar.



Larry was Voice of the Drake Bulldogs and hosted show on @1350KRNT.



Larry was kind to everyone and loved his family, Drake, and broadcasting, among other things.



So sad. RIP Cotman.



Info via DMPD. pic.twitter.com/yIfvkNM2zh — Keith Murphy (@MurphyKeith) July 1, 2018

In this week's Murphy's Law, @MurphyKeith remembers Larry Cotlar, and the lesson he leaves behind. pic.twitter.com/jeycpomUVW — SoundOFF (@SoundOFF13) July 2, 2018

Stunned and heartbroken to hear about my friend Larry Cotlar. Thinking of Deb and Zachary now. — Andy Garman (@GarmanSports) July 1, 2018

Crushed to hear about Larry Cotlar. Just spoke a few days ago. He was passionate about his family, other people and his work. He let everyone be his friend — Mark Wills (@MarkJ_Wills) July 1, 2018

RIP Cotman. — Rick Brown (@ByRickBrown) July 1, 2018

Scrolling through my Facebook feed which is consumed w/ tributes to Larry Cotlar and message from Larry himself pops up.



This was the Cotman in a nutshell. So excited to call high school baseball that he thanks the radio station for allowing him “the privilege” of doing them. pic.twitter.com/Wh6LHfHCYK — Chris Hassel (@Hassel_Chris) July 1, 2018

We are heartbroken by the tragic passing of Larry Cotlar.



Larry was a great friend of the Principal Charity Classic and covered our event for years, including the 2018 tournament a few weeks ago. He will be missed and remembered by many, and our thoughts are with his family. pic.twitter.com/Ew4KbUSNs6 — Principal Charity Classic (@PCCTourney) July 1, 2018

Larry was a true professional. I was honored to call him a friend. My heart aches for his family. #RIPLarry https://t.co/lill9HIApZ — Coach McDermott (@cucoachmac) July 1, 2018

My first real radio job in college was as the substitute producer for Larry Cotlar’s KXNO show. My first morning, I hit a wrong button and the first 5 mins were off air. Thought I’d be screamed at, but Larry smiled, slapped me on the back and said “it happens, welcome to radio”. — Brent Blum (@brentblum) July 1, 2018

Last night we lost a great man, father, sports broadcaster and loving husband. My heart is broken after hearing this news this morning. pic.twitter.com/ikNpsfN5qM — Seneca Wallace (@wallace_seneca) July 1, 2018

Our thoughts and prayers go out to this amazing man and his family. Larry was so great to me from the time we got to Iowa. I know he had a great heart and a huge impact on all those around him. A great loss to our entire community. https://t.co/wZf4FzJdQ0 — Matt Campbell (@ISUMattCampbell) July 1, 2018

So so sad to hear the news about Larry Cotlar. Didn’t get to know him very well, but I do know Bulldog nation mourns his passing. 🙏🏻 to his family. — Zach Johnson (@ZachJohnsonPGA) July 1, 2018

Thoughts & Prayers go out to Larry Cotlar & his family! Tragic news of his passing. I got to know Larry as we teamed up against Lupus and Cancer! Thinking of your family and the Drake family at this time. — Steve Prohm (@CoachProhm) July 1, 2018

Larry Cotlar had a kind heart and unbridled enthusiasm for his job, his family, blues music, helping others fight cancer as he did. This is a big loss for our community. — John Walters (@JWcyclonestv) July 1, 2018

Larry Cotlar was one of the most genuine people that I’ve had an opportunity to work with during my entire basketball career. The love he exuded for Drake Athletics was as pure as the love he showed to his own family. The news is devastating. — Josh Young (@ForeverJAYoung) July 1, 2018

We are devastated to learn about the passing of Larry Cotlar. Larry was one of the kindest, most caring people and we were unbelievably lucky to have him as part of the Iowa Barnstormers family. Our hearts are breaking for his wife and son, please keep them in your thoughts. pic.twitter.com/3hOOgO825K — Iowa Barnstormers (@iabarnstormers) July 1, 2018

Saddened by the death of sportscaster Larry Cotlar in flooding overnight. I've known Larry since our Mizzou days in the 70s. A good StL Cardinals fan. Larry had just survived a bout with cancer. @KCCINews pic.twitter.com/JOWZLPvb3D — Dave Busiek (@KCCINewsDirectr) July 1, 2018

Tough day for DSM and @DrakeUniversity with the passing of Larry Cotlar. I've known LC for many yrs and occasionally worked with him including the original Soundoff on WHO radio. I'm not sure Larry realized just how many people he touched in a positive way during his career. RIP — Ric Silvestrini (@RicSilvestrini) July 1, 2018

Heart broken as I understand Larry Cotlar was the person sweetly away and killed in the floods last night. Larry was one of the most positive people I’ve ever met. 😥Sports broadcasting has lost a good man. https://t.co/kbAdqpvkQj — Ed Wilson (@EdWilsonWX13HD) July 1, 2018

We are heartbroken to learn about the passing of Larry Cotlar during last night’s floods.



Cotlar was an incredible friend and a terrific presence in the Des Moines sports community. He will be greatly missed.



We offer our condolences to his family during this difficult time. — Iowa Wild (@IAWild) July 1, 2018

A GoFundMe account has been set up in Cotlar's memory.