I read (Eric Mathison's column) concerning his experience with Robert O. Smith and very much appreciated his perspective. I don't know how many of us there are left who know the true comedic/improv genius that Robert O. was on the air here in the Puget Sound area, both radio and his Dr. Zingrr madness.

I actually had the pleasure getting to know him fairly well while working on a TV pilot on and off through the late 70's and into the early 80's. I used to be on the air at KZOK and KISW and actually owe my initial interest in radio to his really funny, bizarre and off-the-wall midnight shift at KVI.

I was going to school at the U.W. at the time, and I used to make a point of staying up late and tuning him in every night as I lay in bed, trying to sleep, but finding myself fascinated with the places his spontaneity would take him and going along for the ride, listening for hour upon hour, savoring his insanity.

I had the great experience of helping him revive Dr. Zingrr and some other of his TV personas and he was quite a guy. Humble. Very nice. And a true creative original.

I am so grateful that I had the pleasure to meet and hang creatively with him. I truly am deeply saddened by his passing. And you know, I never told him how his hilarious air persona led me into the business and what an impact that had on me.

Thank you for remembering him in your article. Nice job, Eric.

Bob Hovanes