Kasem was a big supporter of putting an end to racism in the media, quitting Transformers after refusals by bosses for an evil Arab character to be balanced by a good Arab character, as Kasem wanted. He said, "I told the show's director that, in good conscience, I couldn't be a part of that show."
Kasem's death came after a diagnosis of Lewy body dementia, following an initial diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, which left Kasem unable to speak. There is much controversy surrounding his final days, controversy which gossip sites will be pleased to report on. But for I'm With Geek, all that matters is that the world has lost a revolutionary voice in radio history, a great, charitable man, and with Shaggy, one of our greatest childhood icons.
Kasem is survived by his wife, four children and four grandchildren.