William “Pierre” Robert, the popular 93.3 WMMR disc jockey and on-air personality whose career spanned more than four decades, paid a visit to Bettie Jack Studio & Gallery in Glenside on Friday, October 24, and Saturday, October 25. He passed away on October 29 at 70 years old.

Sharisma Herrmann, Bettie Jack’s owner and a 1989 graduate of Abington Senior High School, told Glenside Local he found something worthwhile in her “rockstar ring collection.”

“He visited us many times and made his first purchases on Saturday: A ring with rhinestones, nag Champa incense, as well as a crotched cat coaster for his friend,” Herrmann said. “On Friday, his friend saw the sign he’s holding and purchased it immediately. We started discussing our chronic lateness.”

Robert had visited Bettie Jack’s many times, Sherrmann said.

“I wasn’t aware of how astonishing his career was. He’d done concerts at the Keswick through the years, among other endeavors. He always brought friends and they always made purchases. Supposedly his friend who came into the store with him that night told the story on air,” she said.

The Keswick Theatre posted the following tribute on October 30:

Philadelphia and the music world in general lost a great friend and ally yesterday. WMMR’s Pierre Robert has passed away. The Keswick family cannot thank him enough for decades of support, friendship, fun, and music, and our hearts are with his family, friends, coworkers, and everyone that is feeling the sting today. Rest in peace, great citizen! Thanks for gracing our fine village with your presence.

In 2019, he was given a star in Philadelphia’s Walk of Fame along South Broad Street. More about his life and career here.

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Photos: Sharisma Herrmann, Keswick Theatre