One of the most iconic voices in hockey as died today.

One of the most iconic voices in and around the sport of hockey is sadly now gone forever.

A report from Fort Wayne's News Channel 15 has revealed that legendary Fort Wayne Komets broadcaster Bob Chase has passed away at the age of 90, less than one full season after retiring from his position as the voice of the Komets.

Chase made his mark on WOWO radio starting in 1953 where he became the voice of the Komets, a position he maintained until the end of the 2015-2016 season. It has to be one of the most incredible runs in hockey broadcasting history, and he has to be one of the longest tenured broadcasters in all of professional sports history.

Statements of support have already pour in:

“This is a very sad day in Komet history and Fort Wayne history. We have lost the John Wayne of Fort Wayne and the hockey broadcasting world,” Komet general manager David Franke said. “We will never again hear his play-by-play call of Komet hockey or the wise and respected voice of WOWO radio. I will always be grateful for all I learned from Bob. He gave me the opportunity to work with the Komets during the 1988-89 season and his words of wisdom, support and guidance will always be with me. Bob Chase is a legend in every sense of the word and we will miss him dearly.”

“He was the voice of Komet hockey my entire life,” Stephen Franke, CEO of the Fort Wayne Komet Hockey Club said. “He knew more about the history of Komet hockey than anyone. He was a good man who made life a little more special for the rest of us.”

"Bob Chase was Komet hockey,” Komet President Michael Franke said. “He put Fort Wayne and the Komets on the map with his deep voice penetrating 28 states and half of Canada on WOWO radio. More than anything I will miss him. He was a father figure to us all. Things will never be the same."

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Chase's astounding career would go own to span some 4,5000 Komets games, and in 2012 his amazing work was recognized by the National Hockey League and USA Hockey when he was awarded the Lester Patrick Award for his contributions to hockey in the United States.

Bob Chase is survived by his wife Muriel, children Michael, Kurt, Karin and David as well as several grandchildren, and our thoughts are with them in this most difficult of times.

Image courtesy SI