01/08/2026
Farewell Salute to Mark Gilman, written by Rick Allen
We are all saddened here at KBZY at the recent passing of longtime KBZY sportscaster Mark Gilman. I have known Mark Gilman since April 1983, when we worked together at a Salem country music radio station, where he eventually became the news director. He taught me a great deal about radio broadcast journalism. What I learned in college... he showed me how it's done in real time. Together, we won AP broadcast radio news awards. Later in our careers, we joined together here at KBZY around the year 2000. I carried remote broadcast equipment to every gym and every football field broadcast booth in the Salem/Keizer area for Mark and his cast of broadcast partners, which, of course, included, for many years, his dad, Jerry Gilman. Mark referred to me as "Spiderman Rick Allen" for the many gym rooftops I had to climb to get the antenna in place for our sports broadcast. It just shows you I would do anything for the persuasive, charming Mark Gilman. We did that together for nearly 20 years - once and sometimes twice a week. It was amazing to see sports play-by-play take shape in his skilled hands. He was the captain of the ship and, with his many helpers - the color and stats guys - would make those radio broadcasts come alive for football, basketball, and even some baseball games. Mark was a beloved member not just in the broadcast community but also in the Salem and Silverton school systems. He was my son's English teacher at North Salem High School and taught a nephew, as well. Everyone seems to have learned from Mark Gilman.
Here at KBZY, Gary Horowitz became his broadcast partner when Jerry Gilman was no longer available, again on air and in person, what a team they made... Mark was called on at KBZY to help the team out with sports fill-in broadcasts, remote radio broadcasts, radio commercial recordings, and occasionally writing news. In spite of having a REAL full-time teaching job, he never told us NO. After Mark was unable to broadcast on the radio, we would frequently go to lunch, sharing and reliving many great memories. Mark succumbed on Monday at age 65, after battling a serious illness. All of us at KBZY will miss him. May you rest in Peace, Mark Gilman. Your joyful, playful, mischievous spirit and immense talent will never be forgotten. Mark Gilman's goodness and faith shone brightly for all to see. Mark will be truly missed by so many, including me. He is survived by his wife Teresa, their 3 daughters, and their families.
