Lieutenant Bernard Joseph “Jack” Stahl, III
(1946-2024)
Jack was born October 27, 1946 to Bernard Joseph Stahl, Jr., and Rosemary Mathilda (Kiefer) Stahl. He attended Elder High School where he participated all four years in the Variety Show and Dramatics Clubs. After graduating in 1964, he attended the University of Cincinnati from 1964 to 1968, earning a bachelor’s degree in fine arts, majoring in radio and television communication arts.
Also in 1964, Jack went to work for the powerhouse radio station, WSAI, as announcer. Three years later, he joined WUBE Radio as a newscaster, then as a disc jockey until October 1972.
On October 29, 1972, Jack “quit” radio and joined Cincinnati’s 58th Police Recruit Class. On February 23, 1973, he was promoted to Patrolman, issued Badge 567, and assigned to District 3 (3201 Warsaw Avenue). Patrolman Stahl was rotated to District 1 (310 Lincoln Park Drive) on May 25, 1974.
We do not know when he returned to radio, but by 1982, he was back on the air at WKRC one day a week. It was at this time that he took on the on-air persona, “Doctor Boogie.” In 1985, he even filled in as their program director.
On July 8, 1984, Patrolman Stahl transferred to Crime Stoppers in the Criminal Investigation Section (222 E. Central Parkway). On December 8, 1985, he was promoted to Police Specialist, issued Badge PS-6, and served as Coordinator for the Crime Stoppers Program. He was promoted again, to Sergeant, on April 16, 1989, issued Badge S-11, and continued to manage Crime Stoppers.
Meanwhile, in radio, during May 1986, he replaced “Wolfman Jack” on Sunday nights with the “Dr. Boogie’s Sunday Night Oldies Show.” He worked several other time slots over the next few years. During April 1992, he moved to WGRR-FM.
On February 21, 1993, Sergeant Stahl transferred back to District 1. On November 20, 1994, he was assigned to the Recruiting Unit. Eight months later, on July 16, 1995, he was promoted to Lieutenant, issued Badge L-11, and reassigned to District 1. Lieutenant Stahl retired on January 23, 1999 with 26¼ years of service and 27 letters of appreciation and/or commendation, including four from police chiefs and one from a Hamilton County Sheriff.
Dr. Boogie returned to WSAI in January 2003 with a whole lineup of oldies disc jockeys. Three years later, many in the lineup, including Dr. Boogie, moved to WDJO. Fifty-nine years after starting on radio, Dr. Boogie hosted his last show in June 2023.
Lieutenant Stahl was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma. He died peacefully, surrounded by family, on the morning of June, 3, 2024 at that age of 77.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Nancy J. (Funk) Stahl; children, David (Terri) Stahl, Shari Miley (Erich Lenz), Robin (Terry) Jacobs, and Jaime (Eric) Fry; grandchildren, Conner Stahl, Owen Stahl, Corey Miley, Zach Miley, Taylor Jacobs, Ryan Jacobs, Denielle Fry, and Josie Fry; brother, and Jerry (Janet) Stahl.
A visitation will be held 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 6, 2024, at B. J. Meyer Sons Funeral Home 5864 Bridgetown Road. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:30 a.m. on Friday, June 7, 2024 at St. Jude Church, 5924 Bridgetown Road. He will be interred at about noon at Bridgetown Cemetery, 4337 Bridgetown Road.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
© 2024 – All rights reserved to LT Stephen R. Kramer RET and the Greater Cincinnati Police Museum