Robert J. Lurtsema; Classical Music Radio Host

Robert J. Lurtsema, 68, genial host of a popular classical music program on New England public radio. For 29 years, the bearded man with the mellow, unhurried baritone voice and punctuating pauses welcomed farmers, construction workers, professors and all who would listen to his “Morning Pro Musica” over Boston’s WGBH-FM. The show, which opened with recorded bird calls, originally every day and more recently only on weekends, was broadcast throughout New England and northern New York and by satellite in selected areas across the country. Lurtsema served on the boards of 32 music organizations, composed music, wrote poetry, painted, took photographs and made guest appearances with major orchestras and chamber groups. He recorded narration of classical performances for about half a dozen labels. He also wrote two books, “A Pocketful of Verse” and “The Robert J. Lurtsema Musical Quiz Book.” His show lasted a relaxed five hours, with classical works played start to finish, interspersed with news, interviews and weather reports. Born in Cambridge, Mass., Lurtsema served in the Navy and studied liberal arts, drama and broadcasting at Boston University. He worked as everything from a lumberjack to an encyclopedia salesman before finding his calling. On June 12 near Boston of lung disease.