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70 Remembering Brad Steiger

Remembering

Brad Steiger

19-02-36 to 06-05-2018

by Kevin Randle

I first learned of Brad while I was still in high
school. As I have mentioned in the past, I read
Strangers in the Skies, while sitting in study hall,
and while that didn’t spark my interest in UFOs,
it certainly set me on a track to study them.
While in college, one of my friends from
Clinton, Iowa, told me about a fellow there,
Warren Smith, who wrote about UFOs and the
paranormal. He often paired with Brad writing
books, sometimes under the pen name of Eric
Norman. Brad, it seems had invented the name,
but it was often Smith who used it.
In the 1970s, I was working on a book
about the paranormal (which, by the way, was
never published) and I was discussing the tales
of people who seemed to have vanished in very
mysterious ways. One of those cases was from
1909, and Brad had written about it. Given that
I had met Smith, I knew the secret for finding immediately said that I didn’t think so. I thought and didn’t belittle those with whom he
Brad. He had been born as Eugene Olson and it was Brad. Later, Brad and I had a chuckle disagreed. He had a belief in people and in their
had adopted the name Brad Steiger because he about this and I don’t believe we ever resolved goodness, realizing that some simply were no
admired the actor, Rod Steiger. Anyway, I knew who had written more… not that we cared. We good.
that Brad taught at Luther College in Decorah,
did notice that Nick Redfern was making a real I admired his philosophy in life but the
Iowa, and was listed in the telephone book as
run at this “record.” cynic in me didn’t let me accept everyone so
Eugene Olsen. Back in those days, without the
When I began my last radio readily. He assisted me when he could, provided
Internet, I used Directory Assistance to get the show/podcast on The ‘X’ Broadcast Network, I help when I asked, and I never heard him say
telephone number and called Brad. thought that one of the first guests should be anything nasty about anyone, though he had
He was most cordial and told me that he Brad. We exchanged emails and while Brad was cause to do so on more than one occasion. I
had learned, since his book that contained the delighted with the offer, he had just returned to suppose you would say that he had a good heart,
story was published, that the case was a hoax. Iowa and there were many problems getting enjoyed what he was doing, and had more than
We had a long chat, and that began the settled, getting the house ready, and a little fun doing it.
friendship that lasted for decades.
confidentially, his health wasn’t the best. He had Had I known that the last time I would
When I hosted my radio show in the
an open invitation and we had even scheduled speak to him would be during that interview, I
1990s (and yes, it was on the radio because
what I thought of as our Halloween probably would have done things a little
podcasts didn’t exist) on KTSM-AM in El Paso, “Spooktacular” show, to talk of UFOs and differently. But you just never know. I’ll miss
Texas, Brad was one of my first guests and often ghosts and other things that wen bump in the him, as I’m sure many others will as well. Take
helped me to book others that he knew. If I was night. Brad had to cancel for health reasons. I a moment to think of him during the next few
in some kind of a jam for the program, I could was, of course, disappointed, but then so was days, and don’t forget to include Sherry, his wife
count on him to either fill the void, or find Brad. since 1987, in your thoughts.
someone to step in. We finally worked out the details, and Brad was 82. []
We often shared information about
Brad did make an appearance on the show. It
UFOs, sometimes about ghosts or other aspects
was, of course, one of the easiest interviews NOTE: This is what Brad Steiger said about Rob
of the paranormal. He helped me on several because Brad was the perfect guest. He knew McConnell, host of The ‘X’ Zone Radio/TV
occasions, providing some insight to a specific how to answer a question, knew where to go to Show that is heard and viewed on XZBN, and
case or avenue for research. Sometimes, he make the topic interesting, and in this case, said SimulTV:
would provide inside information. On one some very nice things about me. You can listen “It is always a special pleasure to appear
occasion, as we talked about Al Bielek, who had to that interview here - on a talk program to discuss the paranormal
stayed with Brad and Sherry several times over https://youtu.be/lYHkNcFMM0E. when the host is as well informed as Rob. There
the years, they learned that Bielek’s tale might Not all that long ago, I learned that is no question that he is extremely
not be grounded in reality. Both were
Brad’s health was declining. He asked that I not knowledgeable in the field of the strange and the
disappointed to discover that a friend had been
share the information, which I didn’t. I was sad unknown, yet Rob also has a "third ear" that
less than candid in his tales of time travel and to hear about his health problems and worried hears the unspoken questions that his audience
the Allende Letters case. about them. And, of course, sadden to learn that members are asking of his guest. It is here that
Which reminds me that back in the early they had caught up with him. Rob's great talent as an interviewer enters the
1970s, while I was still on active duty in the Brad was born on February 19, 1936, discussion and enables him to present a balanced
Army, I read Brad’s book (written with Joan apparently in a blizzard in Iowa. His career took and provocative program on each and every
Whritenhour) about the Allende case. It seems him around the country, he appeared on dozens occasion.”
that one of Brad’s friends had written to the of radio and television shows, and hosted and When asked about the passing of Brad
Navy, which provided information about the
produced some himself. He had a near death Steiger, McConnell said, “Brad was the modern
case. My thought was that if he could do it, so
experience when he was 11 which changed his day anchor in the world of the paranormal
could I. Brad, you might say, was the inspiration life. He was interested in UFOs, angels, the bringing credibility and professionalism to a
for that bit of investigation… but I digress. paranormal, and, of course, near death subject that needs anchoring. Brad now knows
At one of the MUFON Symposiums held experiences. He once told me that he accepted the answers to many of the questions that we are
in Denver, I don’t remember if it was 2010 or what people told him until he learned that they all asking. I will sadly miss Brad, a friend that I
2011, a fellow came up and said that I had couldn’t be trusted. He didn’t look for the bad had known since 1990.” []
written more UFO books than anyone else. I