Art Ackerman

Art Ackerman lived to be one of the oldest Radio DJs in the Western Hemisphere, passing away just a few weeks after his 100th birthday in the summer of 2025. He had been doing his show on KDNK since 1987, and was still on the air up til very recently before his passing. Art kept KDNK connected to the glory days of American jazz every Tuesday evening from 7-9pm on his Swing-Swing-Swing show, and legacy of his show is carried on by his grandchildren Georgia & JR.

Obituary from the July 30, 2025 Sopris Sun:

July 11, 1925 – July 23, 2025

Arthur Waldron Ackerman Jr. died peacefully on July 23, 2025, after celebrating his 100^th birthday with friends and family.

Born on July 11, 1925 to Edith Marsh and Arthur Ackerman Sr. in Ypsilanti, Michigan, Art moved several times as a youngster before the family settled in Detroit. He graduated from Cooley High School where he met his loving wife of 68 years, Carolyn Gordon. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1944 and became a naval aviator as World War II was ending. After his service, he attended the University of Michigan and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in engineering and a master’s degree in business administration. Art worked for Ernst & Ernst and became a certified public accountant before starting his career at the Huck Manufacturing Corporation in Detroit. He retired as CEO of Huck Manufacturing in 1982.

Art and Carolyn had five children and enjoyed traveling, sailing and skiing, which brought them to Carbondale in 1983. He was an active member of Rotary International and helped found the first Carbondale chapter of the Rotary Club. He was also an early supporter of Computers for Kids (now Youthentity) and a well-known DJ at KDNK for decades. Before his passing, he claimed he was the oldest living disc jockey in the world.

Art was preceded in death by his parents, sister Laura Jean Green and wife Carolyn. He is survived by his children Gwen (H.P.) Hansen, Skip (Susan) Ackerman, Steve Ackerman, John (Marianne) Ackerman and Cindy (John) Knutson, eleven grandchildren, five great grandchildren and his niece and nephew, Marsha and C.J. Green. He will forever be remembered for his sense of humor and love of family and community. In lieu of flowers, please support your local public radio station.