Rush Hudson Limbaugh III (1951-2021) Inducted - Monday, May 14, 2012 Sculptor: E. Spencer Schubert Speaker: Steve Tilley Where is Rush Hudson Limbaugh III in the Hall of Famous Missourians? One of the most successful and well-recognized talk show hosts in radio history, Rush Hudson Limbaugh III was born and raised in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Limbaugh was part of an influential family in Southeast Missouri and both his uncle and cousin served as federal judges. His grandfather served as a prosecutor and judge as well as a member of the Missouri House of Representatives. Rush knew at an early age he wanted to pursue a career in radio. He began his broadcasting career at a radio station in Cape Girardeau and eventually worked at stations in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh and Kansas City. It was during his time in Kansas City that he briefly left the radio business to take a job with the Kansas City Royals. He held that position until he returned to radio in 1984 as a talk show host for a station in Sacramento, California. His unique style quickly made him the most popular radio host in Sacramento. After drawing the attention of ABC Radio, Rush moved to New York City in 1988 to begin his national radio show. Over the years his success grew until the Rush Limbaugh Show became the most listened to talk radio program in the country. His show was heard on nearly 600 stations by up to 20 million people each week and was the highest-rated national radio talk show in America. Rush is a member of the Radio Hall of Fame and the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame. He was awarded the "Syndicated Radio Personality" of the year by the National Association of Broadcasters in 1992, 1995, 2000, and 2005. He also was a successful author who wrote two bestselling books, The Way Things Ought To Be and See, I Told You So. Rush also was an active philanthropist. He held an annual telethon to raise funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and conducted an annual drive to help the Marine Corps–Law Enforcement Foundation.