Bill Green, longtime political analyst who served multiple roles under Dick Thornburgh, dies at 76
by... Paul Vigna

William J. Green, a widely respected political analyst and a leading consultant in public affairs and strategic communications, died Sunday following a falling at his home. He was 76.

Green founded his Pittsburgh firm specializing in public affairs and strategic communications, William J. Green & Associates, in 1987. His firm served Fortune 500 clients as well as small businesses, government agencies and non-profit organizations, according to his company bio.

He was a key administrator during Gov. Dick Thornburgh’s two terms in office (1979-87), as press secretary for the Department of Transportation before being appointed deputy secretary for public liaison at the Department of Environmental Resources (DER). Green also served as deputy press secretary to the governor and deputy director of communications.

During the partial meltdown at Three Mile Island nuclear facility in 1979, Green gained national attention while serving as the state’s spokesperson, interpreting and disseminating information as the incident unfolded. He later served as executive director of the Thornburgh-Scranton inaugural after coordinating the gubernatorial campaign in western Pennsylvania.

Green attended Point Park University and graduated in 1969 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. He would take a job with radio station KQV work as a news reporter in Pittsburgh, where he first met and interviewed Thornburgh, then a U.S. attorney. Their relationship would grow from there.

Reporters were drawn to Green for his insightful comments and reactions to breaking political stories and issues. His list of associations included Pittsburgh-based WPXI, where he appeared regularly as the station’s political analyst, and radio station WTAE, where he was a regular host during its years in an all-news and talk format.

“I always found Bill Green to be a consummate gentleman and sharp politico who didn’t pull any punches when assessing Pennsylvania politics,” said Salena Zito, a longtime friend and sometimes journalistic rival. “Despite all of his years in politics and public relations he never lost his edge and sometimes even ran circles around the younger generations. I am going to miss my friend dearly.”

Added Dennis Roddy, a senior advisor for ColdSpark who formerly was special assistant to former Pa. Gov. Tom Corbett and longtime columnist for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: “Any reporter covering politics in western Pennsylvania knew to call Bill Green for his insights. Even if you didn’t quote him, you wanted to have his insights from which to draw. What made him special was the Bill genuinely liked reporters, even the ones that drove him crazy.”

Roddy, who weaved much of Green’s background into a story for the Pittsburgh-area news media, included a tale that involved former Pa. Speaker of the House H. William DeWeese and Green.

Green, then an undersecretary at PennDOT, was preparing to testify before the House Appropriations Committee about the department’s budget needs during a tight fiscal year. At the same time, someone had tipped off DeWeese that a set of expensive curtains had been delivered to Green’s office the day before.

As the story goes, DeWeese asked Green if it was true “that there are brand new curtains hanging in your office and that they are very expensive.”

Said Green, “I do not have new curtains hanging over there.”

DeWeese would confront Green outside the hearing room. “‘You asked me if they were hanging. They’re not going up until tomorrow because I heard you were going to ask the question,’” DeWeese would recall Green telling him.

Political adversaries, they would remain friends for decades, always gathering for a Christmas meal.

In addition to his other roles, Green worked as a desk editor at KDKA radio and won a Golden Quill Award from the Press Club of Western Pennsylvania for his work.

His health would begin to decline when he was run over by a jet ski while visiting a client in Miami, leaving him with multiple fractures. Suffering from kidney disease, he later received donor organs, first from his sister, Patrice, and later a brother, Robert. Their mother, 102, died earlier Sunday.

The Reverend Dennis C Benson, former host of KQV's Rap Around passed away on June 10, 2021. He was 85. 
This is from the obituary from Eric Heyl. 
   "Benson died at a hospital near his home in Michigan.
   The retired Presbyterian minister hosted radio and TV talk shows in Pittsburgh on WDVE-FM and the former KQV-AM, as well as WQED-TV. He produced the "Passages" radio show for the Presbyterian Media Mission for more than 30 years.
   According to the Religion Communicators Council, Benson interviewed more than 15,000 people during his talk show career, including such disparate celebrities as rocker Alice Cooper and children's show host Fred Rogers.
   Earlier this year, he received the Religion Communicators Council's Wilbur Award, which annually honors excellence in secular media - print and online journalism, book publishing, broadcasting and motion pictures."

Robert A. Harvey passed away on May 27, 2020, after battling lung cancer and dementia.

Bob was born on March 22, 1945 to Robert W. Harvey and Ruth Hagerstrom Harvey. Bob spent his childhood years in the Brookline section of Pittsburgh, later moving to Bethel Park, and graduating from Bethel Park Senior High School in 1963. After high school, Bob attended Point Park College, completing an associate degree in communications. While attending college, Bob worked for KQV Radio Station -- on the corner of 'walk and don't walk' -- where he reported on traffic; gathering traffic conditions during Pittsburgh morning and afternoon rush hours. Bob was the first Pittsburgh traffic reporter to do rush hour traffic from a helicopter. In fact, he earned the moniker of Captain Bob. He later joined the news department at KQV. In later years, Bob also worked for Channel 11 News in Pittsburgh.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, and he leaves behind brothers and sisters; Ralph Harvey and wife Peggy, Nancy Cross, Tom Harvey and wife Carol, and Elaine Giacalone and husband Peter, along with numerous nieces and nephews. Bob spent 50 years of his life in the Mt. Washington section of Pittsburgh, where he felt his roots truly were, and he knew many residents of The Mount and considered them family.

Due to Coronavirus, Bob-s memorial service will be at some time in the future.

Former KQV newscaster Bob Harvey dies of lung cancer at 75

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette logo
Alexis Johnson
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
ajohnson@post-gazette.com
May 29, 2020
2:40 PM

   Former KQV Radio newscaster Bob Harvey died Wednesday after a short bout with stage 4 lung cancer, according to his brother Tom Harvey.
   Mr. Harvey was 75.
   His brother said Friday that the longtime radio newscaster and talk show host was diagnosed only three weeks ago and was told he had six months to live. Mr. Harvey was "up and about" Tuesday night in the assisted living facility where he resided when he started to experience some breathing problems, his brother said.
   A tumor had surrounded his esophagus, his brother said. He died the next morning.
   Mr. Harvey began working at KQV as a traffic reporter after he graduated from Point Park College in the mid-1960s, which was the start of his three-decade career with the station.
After pitching the idea of doing news from a helicopter, Mr. Harvey began taking the chopper over the city of Pittsburgh reporting live breaking news on-air, a stint that earned him the nickname "Captain Bob."
His pilot skills earned him a small part in the 1968 film "Night of the Living Dead" in which his helicopter can be seen flying over the sky.
   Mr. Harvey retired from KQV in the early '90s after developing back problems, his brother said.
He and his siblings spent their early years in Brookline before moving to Bethel Park, where he graduated high school. Mr. Harvey eventually found a home on Mount Washington so that he could be closer to breaking news throughout the city, his brother said. He stayed in that area before he moved to the assisted living facility last August after showing signs of dementia.
   "He loved the city. He could tell you anywhere in the city how to get there," his brother said. "It was amazing everybody he knew. He'd do it all again."
   Jeff Roteman, who runs a KQV Radio tribute website, called Mr. Harvey a "very well respected man."
"Bob was an incredible guy. He was old school news," Mr. Roteman said. "He just told you the news the way it used to be."
   Mr. Harvey's family will be holding a straight-to-burial service for him at Jefferson Memorial Park, according to Tom Harvey, who currently lives in Harrisburg.
   The family plans on having a larger memorial service to honor Mr. Harvey when it is deemed safe to do so after the pandemic.

This article appeared WNEP TV's website.
 Posted 9:55 am, October 1, 2019, by WNEP Web Staff and Jon Meyer, Updated at 09:56AM, October 1, 2019 
"Harry West, a popular radio personality in our area, died Friday in Bridgeville, Pennsylvania. His voice brought smiles to people every morning in what was considered WARMland.
Born in Reading in 1930, West was part of the team that made WARM the most listened-to radio station in northeastern Pennsylvania for decades. His voice started the days of tens of thousands of radio listeners in the area every day in the 1960s and 1970s, filling the WARM airwaves with corny humor.
One of his on-air colleagues from back in the day remembers West fondly.
"We never realized how big of an impact we were making. Harry may have realized it more than we did," said Tommy Woods.
Woods was also on the air at the time WARM radio became the Mighty 590, by far the highest-rated station in the area.
The day in what was known as WARMland started with Harry West.
"He'd introduce himself, 'I'm Harry West,' and as soon as they heard that, 'Oh, Harry!' Everyone knew Harry West and they knew 'the Harry West Show, the Harry West Show,'" Woods recalled, singing the jingle.
WVIA-TV did a documentary called "WARMland Remembered" and interviewed many of its former stars, including Harry West.
"Nobody there was a prima donna. We all worked together. We were all at the right place at the right time," West said in the documentary.
David Yonki runs the 590 Forever WARM blog. Harry West was his boyhood idol.
"People felt like they were citizens of WARMland and Harry West was their leader," said Yonki. "He was a warm, engaging person, sometimes self-deprecating to a point, but he was the type of person you felt a bond with."
"He loved radio. He loved listeners. You told Harry, 'I listen to you every morning,' he'd light up like a Christmas tree," Woods recalled.
Woods says he would visit Harry West from time to time recently in his care home and they still would share stories of their Mighty 590 days."

Chuck Brinkman 
July 19 1935 - August 24, 2018
Andrew Goldstein of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette wrote this... 

"Chuck Brinkman, a KQV-AM mainstay in the 1960s who became one of Pittsburgh's most popular Top 40 DJs, died Friday surrounded by family at his home in Plano, Texas. He was 83.

Mr. Brinkman's son, Jonathon Brinkman, confirmed the death to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. He said his father had suffered from Parkinson's disease.

Mr. Brinkman, born July 19, 1935, was a Dormont native and Kiski Prep School grad. He was a DJ with KQV from 1960 to 1972, and doubled part of the time as a music director.

In 1964, he introduced the Beatles to the crowd at the Civic Arena - the band's only Pittsburgh concert. 

Mr. Brinkman was one of the most popular Top 40 DJs here in the 1960s. He was part of then Top 40 station KQV's "Fun Lovin' Five,: which also included Hal Murray, Steve Rizen, Dave Scott and Dexter Allen.

He went on to become DJ/music director for WTAE-AM and WFFM/WMYG, and he left Pittsburgh for a job in Dallas in 1988, eventually becoming part owner of an oldies station in Greenville, Texas.

Mr. Brinkman was inducted into the Pittsburgh Rock 'N Roll Legends class of 2017. 

He is survived by his wife, Carmella Brinkman of Plano; sons Jonathon Brinkman of San Diego and Charles Brinkman IV of San Diego; and daughters Lisa Meline of Scottsdale, Ariz., Nicole Levett of Dallas, and Christine Brinkman of Dallas."

Chuck was at KQV from 1958 - 1960. Chuck came to KQV from WQAM in Miami. Former KQV General Manager John Gibbs said, "Chuckie from Kentucky", who trained the other jocks into what emerged as the KQV format. Chuck Dougherty was one of the most exciting wake-up entertainer Pittsburgh radio had ever heard. He was great."

This was reported by Jim LaBarbara.

We LOST CHUCK DOUGHERTY FORMER WLW RADIO PERSONALITY Debbie told me her father died on Jan. 20 at the age of 93 in Naples, Fla . We called him Chuckie from Kentucky. He was from Falmouth. I just talked with Chuck a few weeks ago. He still had that great voice & he still drove his Cadillac. He replaced Joe Kelly on mid days on WLW in the 70's, retired in 1980 & open a Tuxedo Store in N Ky. We kept in touch --he loved sports, especially Ky Basketball, the Reds, music & talking about his family. He made a couple of records on Roulette but his biggest hit was a song he wrote "Transistor Sister" for Freddy Cannon. Paul McCartney bought the publishing house & he got a royalty check from Paul. I told him "Don't cash it-- it's a collectors item" I remember Chuck --Growing up in Pgh in 1958 he was the morning man Program Director who put Top 40 on KQV- -the cities 1st Rock station. He spent most of his career in Philadelphia on WIP & a year in New York on WNEW. Chuck was a pilot in the Pacific & flew 26 missions during WW2. He'd look at our control board in the studio & joke at times, this is more complicated than flying a plane.

written by Sharon Eberson

Esther Lapiduss, who forged a stage career as Pittsburgh's pioneering funny lady, died in Encino, Calif., on Nov. 22. She was 96, and she left to music and applause.

Her family send a message to friends that read: "There was little suffering, Es even got a little singing in, and we led her out to her favorite music, applause, and a standing O, befitting of the life she lived and the joy she brought to so many through her entertaining."

The native of Donora moved to the city, attended Pittsburgh Allderdice High School and studied retailing at the University of Pittsburgh, but she caught the theater bug at an early age. She passed along her gift of laughter and talent to her daughters, Maxine and Sally Lapiduss, who became Hollywood writers and producers. In 1993, she appeared in an episode of the  sitcom "The Nanny," where Sally was a writer/producer.

Long before that television appearance, her name in Pittsburgh was synonymous with laughter.

Leslie Brockett, widow of Pittsburgh entertainer, writer and producer Don Brockett, said, "Besides being a good and faithful friend, she was also one of the funniest woman I've ever known."

When Esther's husband Saul Lapiduss, the founder of Forbes Travel Service, died in 2010, they had been married for 61 years. The couple had moved to California eight years earlier to be closer to their daughters.

Ms. Brockett recalled that she couldn't help laughing every time Ms. Lapiduss introduced her husband. "She would say, "I would like you to meet my present husband, Saul doll' And they were married forever and ever! It still makes me laugh."

Ms. Lapiduss described her start in show business in a letter to the Post-Gazette about Pittsburgh nightclub owner Leonard Litman. She wrote that he "gave me my first professional job as a comedienne ... with a paycheck of $35. He told me I had a great comic flair, but if I really wanted to make it big, I should head for New York."

She chose to stay in Pittsburgh, where she entertained on stages such as the Holiday House, often with accompanist Bobby Cardillo at the piano. Her gigs at the former Monroeville hot spot included opening for Phyllis Diller and Henny Youngman. She also worked regularly with writer Bob McCully and musician Joe Negri on performances at Beck's Charter Oaks in Greentree. Mr. Negri also provided music for her solo act, which they took on the road.

"I'll never forget, we took a trip to Boston, and we played a lot of synagogues and temples, and I got familiar with the Jewish culture," Mr. Negri said. "It was a wonderful education, working with Esther."

Performer Barbara Russell worked with Ms. Lapiduss in musical revues at the Pittsburgh Playhouse in the late 1950s. "Esther could tell a joke better than anyone I knew, and she could sing," Ms. Russell recalled.

In the 1960s, you could catch Ms. Lapiduss' cabaret acts around town, with titles such as "An Evening With Esther Lapiduss, or Something Like That," with material by Mr. Brockett, and "Esther Lapiduss Strikes Again."

Women were scarce on the comedy circuit at the time, and "she was one of the really early ones," said Ms. Brockett. "Kay Ballard was one of the first Don and I knew, and later we became friendly with Phyllis Diller. I would put Esther on a level with those people. She was brilliantly funny."

Mr. Negri recalled Ms. Lapiduss performing parody songs with a local flavor, including "I Met Him at LeMont," and another to the song, "I Can't Get Started With You" about her life in show business. "It was about, if given the chance, how many things she could do," Mr. Negri recalled.

Ms. Lapiduss also acted in four shows for Pittsburgh CLO, from 1963-83, and was active in performing and organizing benefits in the Jewish community and for the Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force. "I'm sure she performed for every Jewish group in Pittsburgh," Ms. Russell said.

In 2002, she performed a comedy act about her life titled "Book of Esther," working with Mr. McCully, Mr. Cardillo and singer Michelle Benson. In 2009, she returned to the stage at the Jewish Community Center in Squirrel Hill to honor philanthropist Richard Rauh with a song she and her daughter Maxine wrote and performed for the occasion.

Both Ms. Brockett and Mr. Negri noted that their friend seemed to be unstoppable, performing in the assisted living residence that had been her home in recent years.

"Esther is one glorious happy memory," Mr. Negri said. "Everything about her was comedic and funny."

Ms. Lapiduss is survived by her daughters, Maxine and Sally.

Joseph J. Maura, Jr. "J.J." 61, of Hellertown died Wednesday, July 28, 2010 at the VNA Hospice House of St. Luke's, Lower Saucon Township. He is the husband of Lois M. (Deutsch) Maura.

Born in Fountain Hill on June 16, 1949 to Isabel C. (Fuoco) of Bethlehem and the late Joseph J. Maura, Sr. J.J worked as a Voice-Over for WCAU-TV an affiliate of NBC 10 Philadelphia for the past 20 years until recently retiring. Previously J.J. was employed by QVC-TV, WIP Philadelphia, KQV Pittsburg, WAEB 790, WEEX, and WGPA, under the radio names of Jim Hamilton, Jim Lloyd and J.J. Media. He is a 1967 graduate of Liberty High School and is a member of Calvary Baptist Church, Bethlehem. J.J. served as past Chairman for the Child Evangelism Fellowship of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chapter for the past 13 years and volunteered for the Camelot House for Children, Allentown.

Survivors: In addition to his loving wife of 39 years, and mother; brother District Magistrate Wayne A. of Bethlehem; daughters: Lisa J. and her husband Brandon J. Tattershall of Buena Vista, CO, Ann M. and her husband R. Eric Shoemaker of Rochester, NY; sons: David A. and his wife Amy C. of Bethlehem, Russell J. and his wife Jennifer L. of Sanford, FL; 12 Grandchildren. 

Age 89 of Charlotte, NC died Sunday August 28th, 2016 peacefully at his home surrounded by love.

Born 3-3-27 in Pittsburgh, PA to Richard Elton Vogel and Helene Smith Vogel. He enlisted in the US Navy in January of 1945 and served on the Edward H. Allen Destroyer Escort Ship during WWII as an Electricians Mate Third Class. He returned stateside on July 13, 1946 with an honorable discharge. Thanks to the GI Bill, he was afforded a full college education at Indiana University of Pennsylvania- graduating in 1950 with a degree in Education.

He went on to begin a brief teaching career in the Pittsburgh School System until finding his way into the radio business as an "on air news man" (mainly based on his deep clear voice). He eventually landed himself a "Radio Jock" (Disc Jockey) position and popular "Lee Vogel Show" that led him all over the US and Canada as a very popular on air personality in Toronto, Hartford, Boston, Baltimore and Buffalo, NY.

He married the love of his life, Barbara Louise Wilson Vogel in July of 1965, and after 5 years in their beloved Mattapoisett, Massachusetts- they returned to Western New York area where they settled to raise their children and be closer to family. Leo was employed at WKBW in Buffalo, NY, Power Authority of The State of NY as Director of Public Relations and eventually retired from The City of Niagara Falls as Superintendent of Public Works Department in 1992. As an athlete all his life, he served as Assistant Coach of the U MASS - Dartmouth basketball team and played every sport known to man throughout his life. He was a mentor to many neighborhood kids in the Niagara Falls area (especially on the basketball court) and was known to school many of them even into his late fifties. After retiring to Charleston, SC in 1993, he traveled to Baton Rouge for the Senior Olympic Games in 1998- earning a Gold Medal in Basketball for the State of SC at 71 years of age. He played competitive softball in various Charleston area leagues for many years and was a key teammate against players 20 years his junior. He obtained his Master Gardener Certification from The College of Charleston and was a huge history buff with an expertise especially regarding the Civil War. He worked at Charlestowne Landing as a guide for many years educating tourists on the importance of that historical Port. He knew more about the Civil War than many folks that had written books or specialized training on the subject.

Leo relocated to Sun City Carolina Lakes in Indian Land, SC in late 2010 to be closer to his Son. He continued to be extremely active in athletics and played on many softball teams at Sun City. He was known as "Leo The Legend" and enjoyed a fairly impressive fan base. He was also active in the Choral Society, Singles Club and always the life of a Karaoke party. He touched just about everyone he met in some special way and will be remembered for his electric smile and beautiful sense of humor.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Louise Vogel (2013), and brothers, Ronnie Vogel and Francis Vogel.

He is survived by sons, Kristofer L. Vogel (Charlotte, NC), Kurt A. Vogel and wife Monica Vogel and granddaughter, Courtney Cullen Vogel (Pacific Grove, CA), Melissa Vogel and partner Lisa Andrews (Edmonton, Alberta CANADA), William Mark Vogel and wife Stacey Vogel (Calabash, NC), Cynthia Vogel Serafini, Gary Vogel and Joah Vogel Hackett. His dearest sister, Helene (Bebe) Coe and husband Chuck Coe Sr. (Bethesda, MD), sister-in-law Elizabeth (Betty) Vogel (Charlotte, NC), sister, Margot Isenberg and husband Norman (Houston, TX), sister, Mary and husband Tracey (Bradenton, FL), brother, Elton Vogel and wife Mary (Charleston, SC); and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Additionally his extended Charlotte family of Ms. Belinda Hicks Broderick, Miss Leigh Whicker, Alice Cutter, Christina Cougill and wife Shara Speer (Eliott Foster Cougill) and Mr. James Carroll of Boston, MA and many, many more.

Jim Carnegie, the founder and publisher of trade publications Radio Business Report and Television Business Report, has died of natural causes, according to a posting on his Facebook page. Carnegie (née Robert Seeman) founded RBR from scratch in 1983.

It launched, first as a weekly print publication, covering the regulatory and financial aspects of the radio business at a time when numerous trades reported on the programming and music aspects of radio but few covered the business.

"Jim was tough and aggressive, but he was also 100% supportive of his staff,"says Jack Messmer, who worked at RBR for 16 years through May 2012, most of that time as executive editor. "He drove me crazy at times, but we had a lot of fun over those years and broke a lot of interesting stories for the radio industry."

Carnegie ran RBR for 30 years before selling it and sister publication TVBR to Radio Ink publisher Streamline Communications in 2013, following the January 2012 death of his wife Cathy Steffy Seeman, who was known in the industry as Cathy Carnegie. Cathy served as VP of RBR starting in the mid-80s and played an active role in building the budding publication. Following the sale, Carnegie revived his Carnegie Solutions International executive advisory-consulting firm.

"Jim really proved there was an audience for radio business news," says veteran writer Katy Bachman who launched her journalism career at RBR, before covering radio, advertising and regulatory for such publications as Mediaweek, Adweek and Politico. "When I worked for him I worked in advertising coverage, which was ignored until I developed it. Jim liked my idea and let me run with it."

Before reporting on the radio industry, Carnegie first worked in it, joining ABC top 40 giant KQV-AM Pittsburgh in 1972 as a weekend DJ after growing up in Western Pennsylvania. By 1974, Carnegie was programming the station and was its final PD under ABC's ownership. It was at KQV that he worked with a young personality named Rush Limbaugh, whom Carnegie later hired when he was programming in Kansas City.

"Johnny Dark"

Broadcaster, Entrepreneur, and one of a kind

October 11, 1937 - March 30, 2016

In the heart of John Borders has always burned a desire to rise to the top, to be the best radio broadcaster he could be, and above all to be a good Christian role model for his children and grandchildren.

From humble beginnings as an announcer at KBEC 1390 AM, the native of Waxahachie left his home town after high school to build his career in radio. John attended Baylor University on a basketball scholarship. He played basketball two years but found radio to be his passion at KBEC. He also worked on air and management in his radio gypsy days, working for top stations in Detroit, St. Louis, Pittsburgh and Dallas (KLIF). He later went into sales management and bought his first station in 1973. Many will remember his on-air show as "Johnny Dark" on KLIF.

A few of John's accomplishments include: owned and operated 36 stations in Midwest and Southwest including two Dallas FM's; served on board National Association of Broadcasters; 2001 inducted into Texas Radio Hall of Fame; and 2001 chosen Radio Ink Magazine's "National Broadcaster of the Year." With God's help, John hired a great team and together they built the 25th largest radio company in the U.S. He sold the stations in 2000-2001.

John Mac Borders, 78, passed away on March 30, 2016, due to pancreatic cancer. He was surrounded by family and friends whose lives had been so deeply impacted by his own. John Borders was born in Dallas, Texas and raised in Waxahachie, Texas by Marvin and Ouida Borders. He is survived by his wife Pam of 34 years; sister Nancy Fagan (Dallas); and brothers Tommy (Dallas), Jamie and Joey (Waxahachie). He also has two sons, Greg Borders and Jeff Borders; grandchildren, Jessica, Janie, Grayson and Josh Borders.

Rook was an influence in big markets before becoming local owner
BRIAN WALKER/Staff Writer 

COEUR d'ALENE — John Rook was tuned in to the radio industry.

Rook, an influential radio programmer in major markets before owning stations here, died on Tuesday of natural causes at his Coeur d'Alene home. He was 78.

"John was a legend in the radio world," said longtime friend and Coeur d'Alene attorney John Magnuson. "He was tireless, gregarious and an eternal optimist. He lived a life with more adventures than 100 people."

Magnuson shared the story of Tommy James of the American rock band Tommy James and the Shondells stopping in at WLS-Chicago with the song "Crimson and Clover," which hadn't been finalized.

James played the song for Rook, who was director of programming, under the condition that Rook wouldn't play it on the radio. But Rook recorded the song with a tape recorder and played it anyway, and the hit then exploded.

Jason Rook, John's nephew who worked with John on radio endeavors, said John helped re-establish the careers of the likes of Kenny Rogers and assisted the Beatles with cracking the American market.

"He was one of the most influential radio programmers in the country," Jason said. "He had a tremendous impact on musicians and their careers."

It was American recording artist and TV host Tennessee Ernie Ford and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Eddie Cochran, Rook's teenage friend, who encouraged Rook to be a disc jockey with the name "Johnny Rowe" to start his career.

Rook worked at stations in Denver, Salt Lake City, Pittsburgh, Chicago and Los Angeles. Under his leadership at WLS-Chicago, the station reached an audience of 3.8 million weekly. While at WLS, broadcasters nationally named him "Radio's Man of the Year" and "Program Director of the Year."

In the 1970s, John Rook and Associates provided programming expertise to more than 30 stations across the country.

Rook moved to North Idaho in 1983, bought a small horse ranch south of Coeur d'Alene and became the owner of multiple stations. There were the "KEY chain" stations of KEY-FM 101 and KEY-AM 1050 of Spokane. KCDA-103, KEZE-96.9 and Z-ROCK 103.9 were later added. As the broadcast licensee of KCDA, Rook was the first in the Northwest to introduce satellite-fed programming to radio stations.

"I was eager to return to the sanity of small-town America," the Ohio-born Rook wrote on his website. "I awake every morning in deep appreciation of my 'little sliver of paradise,' hidden from the harshness of the real world."

He divested himself of the local stations in the late 1990s. Deregulation of the media, he wrote, was even more destructive than he predicted.

"Perhaps it would have been best if regulators had not allowed the monopolization of radio that resulted," Rook wrote. "A feeding frenzy of unethical lawyers devoured anyone offering competition. Within days of congressional passage, the nation's media was gobbled up by three billionaires."

In recent years, Rook offered radio commentary at JohnRook.com and was a guest on and consultant for talk radio. He also created the Hit Parade Hall of Fame and Hit Parade Radio.

Outside radio, Jason Rook said, his uncle was a "saint." Jason said he helped himself and others get on the right path.

"He took in and helped lost souls," Jason said. "The man was a giver and never expected anything in return. If somebody needed a place to stay or a couple bucks in their pocket, he just gave it."

Dot Rook, John's sister, described John as a witty man who desired to help others.

"He helped several young men stay here until they got cleaned up," said Dot, who took care of John in recent years.

There will be no funeral services, per John's wishes.

Jason said he'll never forget John's passion for life and radio.

"When people would go through difficult times, he'd always say, 'This too shall pass,'" Jason said.

Robert Wolfson, AKA "Bob Wilson," a popular on-air personality and later radio executive

Saturday - May 2, 2015
By Carl Prine
Saturday, May 2, 2015, 9:00 p.m.

Robert Wolfson, better known as "Bob Wilson," the broadcasting icon whose silky voice graced more than 20,000 ads and filled the airwaves at KQV-AM and stations nationwide for three decades, has signed off for the last time.

Mr. Wolfson died April 25 amid a bout with cancer. He was 81 and lived in Economy in Beaver County.

"When I told people that Bob had passed away, they left messages on Facebook saying, 'God asked for His voice back.' In the industry, Bob was known for having the 'Voice of God' because it carried such authority," said Jeff Roteman, a longtime radio personality here and in central Pennsylvania.

Arriving in Pittsburgh in 1967, Wolfson starred at KQV-AM before rising to become the station's production manager. He helped to turn WDVE into an album rock juggernaut on the FM dial, then became creative director of "13Q" Heftel Broadcasting's WKTQ-FM.

In 1976, he started "Bob Wilson Productions," where his voice-over work for Alcoa, Westinghouse, U.S. Steel, Gulf Oil, Rubbermaid and H.J. Heinz echoed nationwide. His booming presence on trailers promoting the Rolling Stones and Broadway shows pioneered a technique that expanded to movies and TV, recalled Roteman.

Born July 9, 1933, Mr. Wolfson was a child actor in Hollywood on radio dramas at Pasadena's now-defunct KPPC and, later, two Bay Area stations. At one point, he was the world's youngest classical music announcer, said his daughter Tami L. McQuaid.

"He had a great voice and a gentle soul. No matter how far he rose in the industry, he always said to 'take care of the little man.' He was like that. He was proud of his long career, but he never bragged," said McQuaid of Leet.

In 1953, Mr. Wolfson enlisted in the Air Force. He moonlighted at WLOX in Biloxi, Miss. Although trained to intercept Morse code transmissions, Mr. Wolfson became the chief announcer and program director in the Armed Forces Radio Service installation in Libya. When the military started AJG-TV in Tripoli, he anchored the evening news, becoming the first person to be televised on the continent.

He toured in an Air Force entertainment troupe, and ended his military stint near Omaha as the director of the Strategic Air Command's theatrical productions. When his service ended, Mr. Wolfson joined Omaha's KOIL-AM as an on-air personality and executive. Mr. Wolfson, who helped to bring the "Top 40" format to Omaha, entered the Nebraska Radio Personalities Hall of Fame in 2001.

In Omaha, he married Lois, a physical education teacher, and they began a family that grew to eight children while he was at KQV in Pittsburgh.

"Our birthdays were very special," said McQuaid. "I was seven years old, and I was sitting by the radio. He said, 'This song goes out to Tami.' 'And the song was 'Tammy!'"

In the 1980s, Mr. Wolfson's broadcasting stops included KHFI-FM in Austin and KJZY in Dallas before he returned to the Pittsburgh market at New Kensington's "K-Bear" WQKB, now WZPT. He and Lois divorced in 1996.

The Internet allowed people to rediscover Mr. Wolfson's early Pittsburgh work, sparking a cult following for his deadpan narration in the campy "Turkey Man" comedy series KQV kicked off in 1968 to parody TV's "Batman."

"His work on 'Turkey Man' was just tremendous," said Roteman, of Carlisle. "He had this voice right out of 'The Great Gildersleeve.' He had an amazing sense of humor to go with his timing and that voice. But that's not surprising. When you look at his body of work over the years, he was one of the great talents in radio."

A lifelong member of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, Mr. Wolfson held leadership positions in the union's Pittsburgh local.

A son, Tom, preceded him in death. In addition to McQuaid, he is survived by children Tim Wolfson, Teri Fedorka, Traci Wolfson, Tara Craig, Tedi Coco and Laura King; his sister, Karen Wagner; 16 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

A private memorial celebration will be scheduled. Donations in memory of "Bob Wilson" can be sent to AFTRA's Dan Mallinger Scholarship Fund, 625 Stanwix St., Suite 2007, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.

Carl Prine is a Trib Total Media staff writer. Reach him at 412-320-7826

By Adrian McCoy / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
TV and radio host Lynn Hinds informed and entertained countless Pittsburghers for two decades.

Mr. Hinds, of Fredericksburg, Va., died of pancreatic cancer Saturday. He was 79.

Colleagues here held him in high regard, and many stayed in contact with him up until the weeks before he died, including retired WTAE news anchor Adam Lynch. "The man was incapable of subterfuge, of making something up. He was simply a thoroughly decent, honest man," Mr. Lynch recalled. "He was always well prepared and enormously informed at a level far above many of his contemporaries. There were very few in the business who I admired more than I admired him. He was a real champion broadcaster."

Mr. Hinds enjoyed the medium of talk radio. "There's nothing more entertaining or stimulating ... than a good intellectual discussion that doesn't try for controversy, but doesn't avoid it if it comes ... a discussion that doesn't try for heat, but tries for light," he said in a Pittsburgh Press interview in 1970.

He was born in Akron, Ohio. He majored in speech and English at the University of Akron, and went on to earn several graduate degrees, including a Master of Divinity from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary, an M.A. in speech from Temple University and a Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh.

Mr. Hinds was a radio and TV host here from the 1960s until 1983, starting with radio shows on KQV-AM and WTAE-AM.

Retired news director and broadcaster Frank Gottlieb, who worked with Mr. Hinds at WTAE-TV, always made a point to listen to his radio talk shows. "It was appointment radio. It was on the high level of Lynn's intellect. It was back when talk wasn't the same as it is now. It wasn't bombastic all politics, all the time."

In 1972, Mr. Hinds was hired to host "AM Pittsburgh," a local daily morning show on WTAE-TV. The late Al McDowell and Cathy Milton were also part of the "AM Pittsburgh" team. At the time, doing a local morning show on TV was experimental.

"He was extremely bright. He processed everything very quickly and was a perfect host for what was a very successful morning talk show at the time," said Fred Young, former WTAE news director, who worked at the station at the time.

Former WTAE news director Joe Rovitto recalls Mr. Hinds as a well-informed host with "phenomenal" interviewing skills. "That made him the ideal host for television. He was exactly what you would want every journalist to be. He was a sponge for information. At the same time, he was one of the most down-to-earth guys."

In 1983, WTAE decided not to renew his contract. At that point he dedicated his life to teaching. He moved to State College and joined the faculty at Penn State University. While he was there, he wrote, produced and hosted "The Pennsylvania Game," a current affairs quiz show that aired on the Pennsylvania Public Television Network.

In 1991, he left Penn State to teach broadcast journalism at West Virginia University. In 1996, he accepted the job of chair of the communications department at Drury University in Springfield, Md., and retired as professor emeritus.

"He was first and always a teacher," his wife, Cynthia, said. "He was always trying to teach and learn."

Mr. Hinds wrote several books, including "Broadcasting the Local News: The Early Years of KDKA," and "The Cold War as Rhetoric: the Beginnings, 1945-1950."

After retirement, he remained busy with many interests. He was a nonstop reader. He enjoyed playing bridge and golf, taught himself Spanish and learned ballroom dancing. He was a loyal Pirates fan, and continued to follow and root for the team long after he left Pittsburgh.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Shelly Lear of Geneva, N.Y.; and two sons, Jeff Hinds of McCandless and Robb Hinds of Piscataway, N.J.; a brother, John Hinds of Akron, Ohio; two grandsons; and one great granddaughter.

A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Covenant Funeral Service, 4804 Jefferson Davis Highway, Fredericksburg, Va.

Born on 12/22/1934
Departed on 04/05/2014
Resided in Frededricksburg, Virginia

Lynn B. Hinds, 79, of Fredericksburg passed away Saturday, April 5, 2014 at his home.

Mr. Hinds was born December 22, 1934 in Akron, Ohio.  He was a 1953 graduate of Springfield Senior High School.  He received his bachelor’s degree in Speech and English from University of Akron in 1958 and Master of Divinity from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary 1960. He also received a M.A. in speech from Temple University  in 1960 and a Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh, 1976.

Mr. Hinds served on the faculty of Princeton Theological Seminary and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, Duquesne University, Penn State University, West Virginia University and retired as Professor Emeritus from Drury University in Springfield, MO. Mr. Hinds did on-air radio talk programs for KQV and WTAE. He hosted AM Pittsburgh from 1972 until 1983. He worked as a broadcast journalist for WTAE's Action News. He wrote, produced and hosted The Pennsylvania Game, a quiz program broadcast on the Pennsylvania Public Television Network that won an award for excellence from the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters.

Mr. Hinds loved to play golf and bridge. He enjoyed ballroom dancing with his wife and best friend, Cindy. He spent his entire life reading.

Survivors include his wife, Cynthia Hinds, a daughter, Dr. Shelly Lear and husband Jim, two sons, Jeff and Robb Hinds, two grandsons, Jamey and Luke, one great-grand-daughter, Alyssa; brother, John Hinds; two nephews, J.R. and Nate of Akron Ohio; his in-laws William and Josephine Holland of Pittsburgh, sisters-in-law Maryclare Jones, husband Peter and sons Reed and Will of Ashburn, Va, Dr. Christa Johnson, husband Dr. Mark Johnson and children Ashley, Nathan and Abigail of Elizabethtown, Pa; brother-in-law David Sundo and his daughter, Danielle Reynolds and husband Brett of Pittsburgh, PA.

A celebration of life service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Apr. 12 at Covenant Funeral Service, Fredericksburg. 

By Adrian McCoy and Elizabeth Bloom / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

He was the "Daddio of the Raddio" and the "Boss Man." And for generations of Pittsburghers, Porky Chedwick was a respected, unique and beloved radio personality.

Mr. Chedwick of Brookline died Sunday morning of cardiac arrest. He was 96.

Mr. Chedwick was a trailblazer in music and in radio. Starting in the late 1940s, he introduced music by black artists to young white radio listeners and gave early airplay to artists who later went on to be major stars, including Bo Diddley and Smokey Robinson.

In his shows, he crafted a one-of-a-kind improvisational on-air patter: "This is Pork the Tork, your platter-pushin' papa." It sounded alien to some, but it was a language his young listeners understood.

George Chedwick -- he later informally changed his first name to Craig -- was born and raised in Homestead and attended Munhall High School. He credited his mother for nicknaming him Porky as a child. He wore distinctive glasses thanks to an errant slingshot to the eye as a child, said Mr. Chedwick's friend Ed Weigle of Venice, Fla.

In 1948, he joined WHOD-AM in Homestead as a sports announcer. The station gave him a slot to play music, and the rest was history.

WHOD became WAMO under new ownership in 1956, and Mr. Chedwick continued to work there, playing old R&B records, some of which he got for free from record stores because they weren't selling.

The station didn't have a powerful signal, but Mr. Chedwick made enough noise to attract a solid youthful audience, along with the attention of record labels, which started sending him more current material than his so-called "dusty discs."

He hosted thousands of well-attended record hops and dances over the years.

"Porky was part of the soundtrack of Pittsburgh," said retired Pittsburgh broadcaster Frank Gottlieb, who began his career at WAMO, where he worked with Mr. Chedwick. "It was just so radically different from what other people, other stations were playing.

"All the young people knew him, and the person on the air was the real Porky. Maybe that was part of his secret. He didn't put on airs. He wasn't someone I ever recall being in a down mood. He was always up, and that showed ... on the air."

He had enormous influence on listeners. When he would yell, "Blow your horn!" Pittsburgh would erupt into a cacophony of car horns, according to Mr. Weigle.

One event Mr. Chedwick hosted outside the Stanley Theater in Downtown drew so many fans it caused traffic problems and had to be canceled.

"Porky was such a pioneer. Radio was so different back then. It wasn't nearly as formatted. He played all the stuff white radio wouldn't play back then. He could get away with that," said Sean McDowell, WDVE-FM afternoon drive host.

In an era of segregation, he wasn't afraid to cross the line and play a record if he thought it sounded good. "He persevered, because he believed in the music ... he was that dedicated to it," said Mr. Weigle, a voice actor who considered Mr. Chedwick to be his mentor.

"I'm just glad that he was able to live to see people recognize what he had accomplished in radio and music, because for years he was denied that."

Chuck Brinkman, a former Pittsburgh radio personality, came to work at then-Top 40 KQV-AM in 1960. "When I would be invited to do record hops, I learned that I had to bring his music with me. The kids who listened to KQV liked Porky's music better than ours. I learned early on if you want to be a success in Pittsburgh on the air, you better know the Boss Man's music."

"I want to see a monument built in this city to honor him," said Pat DiCesare, a longtime Pittsburgh music promoter. "This guy did so much for the civil rights movement. He played records by black artists when no one knew who he was. I remember him helping me as a songwriter and playing my records when I had a group called the Penn Boys. He was always the first person I would go to and he played my records. He did the first rock concert at the Civic Arena and sold it out in 1961-62, and the artists came not expecting to be paid. They wanted to support him for all he did."

Many of the artists whose careers Mr. Chedwick helped to launch never forgot him. When he underwent surgery for a benign brain tumor in 1991, Hank Ballard and the Midnighters, the Moonglows, Lou Christie, and Jimmy Beaumont and the Skyliners were among artists who performed at a benefit concert to help with his medical expenses. And in 1998, the music festival Porkstock celebrated Mr. Chedwick's 50th anniversary in radio at Three Rivers Stadium. It was headlined by Little Richard and Bo Diddley. "Any entertainer of my era who say they don't know who Porky Chedwick is -- they're damn lyin'," the late Bo Diddley famously said. "That's the cat that played the records."

"I always believed that Porky had a lot to do with my moving to and settling in Pittsburgh," said R&B/soul singer Billy Price. "When I came here playing horn-driven R&B with my band, the people here knew exactly what we were doing, thanks to Porky, because that's the stuff he played on the radio here. Recording 'Porkology' with the Boss Man was one of the biggest kicks of my music career."

Mr. Chedwick was among radio personalities included in the "Dedicated to the One I Love" exhibit at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland in 1996. The exhibit featured air checks from Mr. Chedwick and others.

Mr. Chedwick also started little league baseball teams and a basketball team called the Porky Chedwicks, Mr. Weigle said.

And Mr. Chedwick would always help out someone who needed money, Mr. Weigle recalled, even his bus fare.

Mr. Chedwick continued to work off and on into his 90s, hosting weekly programs on other stations and oldies dances. Although he sometimes appeared frail physically, his voice remain clear and strong, like the Porky his listeners remember from their youth.

Just last week, he was at the annual -- and final -- Roots of Rock 'n Roll show at the Benedum Center, where he was greeted with "thunderous" applause when he appeared onstage, said Henry DeLuca, creator of the Roots of Rock 'n Roll series. "He had 5,000 people here who adored him."

Mr. Chedwick is survived by his wife, Jean; stepsons Ben Sidon of Brookline and Christopher Mason of Somerset, Ky.; and sister-in-law Sue Boening of Phoenix.

Memorial donations can be made to: Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children, 201 N. Bellefield Ave., Pittsburgh 15213.

Funeral details are incomplete. Arrangements are being handled by The Frank F. DeBor Funeral Home Inc., 1065 Brookline Blvd. in Brookline.

Mr. Trunzo, known professionally as Terry Lee, was born August 27, 1942 in Monongahela, Pennsylvania, the son of the late Albert D. Trunzo, Sr. and Pauline Carlson Trunzo.

After a long and successful career as a radio disc jockey, Mr. Trunzo chose to leave the entertainment business, moving to the Clear Fork area with his wife and children in 1991. He loved to spend time farming while running a family owned trucking business. 

Mr. Trunzo is survived by his wife, Carol White Trunzo; a son Adam (Rebecca) Trunzo of Bellville, a daughter Paulina Trunzo of Ashland, a stepson George (Jessica) DiDomenicus of Pittsburgh, two grandchildren, a brother Albert D. Trunzo, Jr. (Sandy) of Fredericktown, Pennsylvania, two nephews, two sons Jeffrey Trunzo and Terry Trunzo, Jr., and a daughter Kimberly DeLeonibus.

There will be no public visitation and memorial services will be held at the convenience of the family.

Radio personality "Allen Dennis" dies at 68
By David Carroll, Anchor 

CHATTANOOGA (WRCB)-  Chattanooga native Dennis Glab, known to radio listeners as "Allen Dennis" died Wednesday at his home in Red Bank.  His brother Bob Glab says Dennis died of natural causes, and was believed to be 68 years old.  He had been in poor health for several years.

Dennis was a top radio personality during a career that spanned more than four decades, beginning when he was a teen in the late 1950s.  Starting out in Chattanooga at WRIP and WDXB, he moved on to Nashville, Pittsburgh, Knoxville, Huntsville, Birmingham and Orlando, returning at various times to Nashville and Chattanooga.  In the 1970s and 80s he was best known in Chattanooga as a top-40 deejay for WGOW and WDXB, and in Nashville on WKDA and WMAK, later working country radio at WSM. He retired to the Chattanooga area several years ago to help care for his mother, who preceded him in death.

He was recently a nominee for induction into the new Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame.  Armed with a quick wit and pleasing radio voice, Dennis was a natural for morning drive time listeners.  He created numerous contests and promotions, designed to grab the attention of his audience. 

Dennis's brother said his body would be cremated, and no memorial service is planned at this time.  He is survived by his brother, and several nieces and nephews. 

Obituary: Robert Dickey Sr. / KQV chief nurtured all-news format
Dec. 29, 1926 - Dec. 24, 2011
Monday, December 26, 2011
By Liz Navratil, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The man credited with bringing the concept of an all-news radio show to Pittsburgh and then nurturing it for decades has died.

Robert W. Dickey Sr., president and general manager of KQV-AM radio, died Saturday in his Oakland home after fighting a brief illness. He would have turned 85 Thursday.

On the air, where he was most comfortable, he was known as a strong advocate for the average citizen and a keen government watchdog who often produced award-winning editorials. Behind the scenes, he initially came across as a curmudgeon but harbored a secret, softer side that he would show to his colleagues, friends and family members.

"That's really part of the secret," said Frank Gottlieb, news director at KQV. "We've heard so much about the loss of the older newspeople, and that's what he was -- get it right, get it fast, get it on the air."

Mr. Dickey was born Dec. 29, 1926, in West Bridgewater, Beaver County, to banker Raymond W. Dickey and Fanchon Alice Hill. A child of the Great Depression, he "took nothing for granted," family members said.

Following the St. Patrick's Day flood of 1936, his family moved to Youngstown, Ohio, where Mr. Dickey attended Rayen High School. He was an actor, football player and debater before graduating in 1944.

Family members said he considered Pittsburgh his true home. Mr. Dickey attended the University of Pittsburgh on a football scholarship and left after the 1944 season to join the U.S. Navy as an aviation machinist mate.

About a year later, he returned to Pitt, where he participated in student government and was president of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, forming friendships that would last for decades. He graduated in 1949 with a bachelor's degree in sociology.

He married Patricia Smith the next year, and the couple had 12 children.

Mr. Dickey found his first job after graduation working as a door-to-door dictaphone salesman. He worked part time for WJAS radio and as a freelance television commercial announcer for WDTV (now KDKA), WTAE and WIIC (now WPXI).

Five years after graduation, he scored a full-time job working with Bob Tracey on KDKA-AM's "Knight Rider Show," interviewing people who roamed about after dark.

Mr. Dickey worked for a few years at KDKA and at a station in Cleveland before moving to New York City, where he would eventually become general manager of WINS-AM and earn his reputation as one of the pioneers of the all-news, 22-minute radio show.

Mr. Dickey moved back to Pittsburgh in 1976 when he accepted a job as general manager of Taft radio stations WDVE-FM and KQV.

When he feared KQV and its all-news format were in jeopardy, in 1982, he and Richard Mellon Scaife bought the station. Many of the station's employees have worked there for 25 or 30 years.

"He was fiercely loyal, and that's not a common quality in the broadcast industry," said Eleanor Schano, a longtime KQV employee and friend of Mr. Dickey's.

KQV employees said they could count on one hand the number of people Mr. Dickey fired during his tenure. His focused intensely on mentoring his staff.

"Every broadcast newsroom in this city has someone who has some sort of KQV connection," Mr. Gottlieb said. The staff was like his second family, and he often referred to reporters as "kid," he said.

Mr. Dickey remained intensely devoted to his biological family as well, said his son, Patrick Dickey. Every Sunday when they were growing up, the Dickey children would pile into their station wagon, sitting in order from oldest to youngest, and Mr. Dickey would take them to church so his wife could have an hour and half of peace before heading to church on her own.

He volunteered as a lector at St. Paul Cathedral in Oakland for more than 30 years, his baritone voice earning him a reputation as a formidable reader for Good Friday services.

"He used to scare the altar boys," Patrick Dickey recalled. "It was like fire and brimstone had come upon us."

"He was a little rough on the edges," he said. But, "If he loved you, you knew it. He was big on second and third chances."

Mr. Dickey was preceded in death by his parents, his wife and his brother, William Dickey of Youngstown.

In addition to Patrick Dickey, he is survived by four sons: James Dickey of Downingtown, John Dickey of Apex, N.C., Robert W. Dickey Jr. of Bethel Park and William Dickey of West Newton; and seven daughters: Karen Ahmad of Baton Rouge, La., Cynthia Bergman of McCandless, Carol Finelli Brown of Shadyside, Maliya McIntyre of Hampton, Julia Mundt of Los Alamos, N.M., Cheryl Scott of Baldwin Borough and Joanne Zick of Cary, N.C. He is also survived by two sisters, Wilma Woodford of Girard, Ohio, and Ruth Johnston of The Woodlands, Texas, as well 33 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

John A. Freyvogel, Sons Inc. in Shadyside is handling funeral arrangements, which have not been finalized.
Liz Navratil: lnavratil@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1438
 

Robert W. Dickey Sr. was just shy of his 85th birthday when he passed away on Saturday. The president and general manager of KQV Radio stayed active well past retirement age; he had been in his office as recently as Dec. 9.

The patriarch of KQV Radio, Pittsburgh's oldest all-news station, died after a short illness.

Robert W. Dickey Sr. was 84. He would have turned 85 on Thursday. He passed away in his Schenley Farms home in Oakland.

"The lion of Pittsburgh news radio sleeps tonight," said his son Patrick Dickey, 44, of Cranberry.

Dickey left WINS, an all-news station in New York, in 1976 to join KQV, which had recently switched formats from rock 'n' roll to news under ownership of Taft Broadcasting. He formed Calvary Inc. in 1982 and bought the station with Tribune-Review publisher Dick Scaife. Dickey served as president and general manager of the station and was in the office as recently as Dec. 9, his son said.

KQV aired a tribute to Dickey last night before the Christmas Mass broadcast from St. Paul Cathedral, where he was a longtime member.

"Bob Dickey was a true, old-fashioned newsman and represented the best of that tradition," said Frank Craig, editor of the Tribune-Review. "He'll be terribly missed by the Pittsburgh journalism community."

Dickey was born in West Bridgewater, Beaver County, to banker Raymond W. Dickey and Fanchon Alice Hill.

The family moved to Youngstown, Ohio, after being trapped in the 1936 St. Patrick's Day flood. Dickey graduated from The Rayen School in 1944 and attended the University of Pittsburgh, where he played football after a coach noticed him walking a dog near the practice field, Patrick Dickey said.

Dickey entered the Navy after the 1944 season and was an aviation machinist until September 1945, when he returned to Pitt and earned a degree in sociology in 1949 using the GI Bill.

In 1950, he married Patricia Smith, and the couple had 12 children. She died in 2008.

He was a salesman for Dictaphone Corp. after graduation. He also was a part-time staff announcer for WJAS and did freelance commercial announcing on WDTV, the predecessor of KDKA-TV, for clients such as Gimbels, Duquesne Light and Braun's Town Talk Bread.

KDKA Radio hired him full time in 1954 as an outside reporter on the Knight Rider Show with Bob Tracey. Over the next decade, Dickey held a number of positions with KDKA, including general sales manager, between stints at other companies.

In 1966, he became vice president and general sales manager of radio advertising in New York with Group W, known as Westinghouse Broadcasting Co. In 1969, Dickey became general manager of Group W's all-news station, WINS, in New York.

When it came to news radio, Dickey strove to give listeners all the information they needed in 22 minutes, his son said.

"He was 25 years ahead of the cable news cycle with CNN and 35 years ahead of the Internet when it came to news," Patrick Dickey said.

Dickey was a perennial winner of Golden Quills from The Press Club of Western Pennsylvania for his radio commentary and editorials.

"His legacy is that the all-news format has continued to flourish in this town," Patrick Dickey said. "People have the right to know what the news is and know it on a timely basis. And it's in the public interest that that work continues."

As passionate as Dickey was about his role in radio, he and his wife were most passionate about family, his son said.

"He measured his success by his children and grandchildren. And the things he treasured most were by his side in the end," Patrick Dickey said.

Dickey served as a lector at St. Paul Cathedral in Oakland for more than 25 years.

"He was a staple of the noon Mass," his son said.

Dickey was preceded in death by his parents, his wife and his brother, William A. Dickey of Youngstown.

Surviving in addition to son Patrick Dickey are his daughters, Carol Finelli Brown of Shadyside, Karen Ahmad of Baton Rouge, Cheryl Scott of Baldwin Borough, Joanne Zick of Cary, N.C., Cynthia Bergman of McCandless, Julia Mundt of Los Alamos, N.M., and Maliya McIntyre of Hampton; and sons, Robert W. Dickey Jr. of Bethel Park, William Dickey of West Newton, James Dickey of Downingtown and John Dickey of Apex, N.C. He is survived by two sisters, Wilma Woodford of Girard, Ohio, and Ruth Johnston of The Woodlands, Texas. He also is survived by 33 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

John A. Freyvogel Sons Inc. in Shadyside is handling funeral arrangements, which have not been finalized

Robert W. Dickey Sr. is the man hired from All-News 1010 "WINS" in New York 36-years ago to turn KQV into Pittsburgh's first and only All News radio station.

In 1975 when then-owner Taft Broadcasting decided to change the All-News format... a format which was Dickey's passion... he approached newspaper publisher Richard Mellon Scaife for help financing the purchase of the station. The company they formed... Calvary Incorporated... has owned and operated All News KQV ever since.

Bob Dickey was 85 when he died after a short illness.

Except for a short stint when he sold Dictaphone machines to support his young family... he spent virtually his entire career in broadcasting. He worked on-air at WJAS and KDKA. At KDKA Dickey was 'Mac Ryder,' the on-the-street reporter on Bob Tracy's overnight program.

Dickey went from air talent to sales at KDKA... and rose through the ranks at then-owner Westinghouse Broadcasting, which moved him to New York City where he helped create the All-News format at 1010 WINS before moving back to Pittsburgh.

After 36 years, the KQV he created is unusual in today’s broadcast world... maintaining the same ownership, with a format virtually unchanged through the years. Many of the people who work at KQV have been here for 25 or more years... a testament to Bob Dickey's loyalty to his staff - and the staff's loyalty to him.

He never considered retirement. At 85, Dickey continued as KQV President and General Manager... coming to work virtually every day, working with the sales department, coming up with listener poll ideas, and writing editorials.

The winner of numerous awards for his editorials, the Bob Dickey you heard was a reflection of the man, and the love he had for his hometown.

Bob Dickey was also very much a family man. He and his late wife Pat had 12 children, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

They are mourning the loss of a father and grandfather.

The staff of KQV mourns the loss of their boss.

Pittsburgh mourns the loss of the man who brought them All News Radio.

Anyone who tuned in to hear the soothing voice of famed Pittsburgh talk-show host Perry Marshall knew the man loved to talk.

Those who knew him personally, and the audience who shared moments of their lives with him, knew he was also a great listener.

His daughter, Robin Marshall, said it's what Mr. Marshall would have considered his best trait.

The longtime late-night radio personality on KDKA-AM died Saturday because of heart complications from lung disease and pneumonia. The Mt. Lebanon resident was 86.

Mr. Marshall was born on Chicago's South Side on Oct. 13, 1925. He left high school at 17 to join the Navy, where he served four years. He later earned his GED.

Ms. Marshall wasn't sure how her father developed an interest in talk radio. "I think he always wanted to be in broadcasting," she said.

Before moving to Pittsburgh in 1951 for Elayne, his wife and the mother of his two children, Mr. Marshall had written and edited commercials for a radio station but had no on-air experience. Through some connections -- and the unexpected departure of a local radio announcer -- Mr. Marshall landed his first on-air gig at WPGH in East Liberty. He and Elayne later divorced.

Years later, Mr. Marshall became the first Top 40 disc jockey in Pittsburgh, signing on at WEEP. Ms. Marshall said he counted the Skyliners and Chubby Checker among his favorite acts.

After stints at WTAE, KQV and WJAS, Mr. Marshall joined KDKA in 1974 as a full-time talk host. His storied career ended when he retired in 1988. KDKA radio host Mike Pintek said Mr. Marshall went out on top.

A successful radio talk show host herself, Ms. Marshall remembers her father's coaching at a young age.

"When we used to come home from school, if there was any sign of an accent at all, he said, 'No, you can't talk like that,' " she said.

And he shared another valuable lesson she attributes to her success.

"He taught me how to tell a story, and that is what jump-started my career," she said. "Because of him, I have this career."

In a 1985 interview with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Mr. Marshall said he was a voracious reader, loved -- and completed -- The New York Times' crossword puzzles and counted love and pizza with anchovies as things he couldn't live without.

KDKA's Robert Mangino said he often stayed up late to catch Mr. Marshall's talk show. One night, Mr, Mangino dialed in and Mr. Marshall took the then-13-year-old's call.

"He just made me feel so special that night, that he wanted to hear what I had to say," he said. "That conversation played a major role in influencing me and cultivating the love for radio that I have today."

Mr. Mangino recalled this story often and credited Mr. Marshall on KDKA promos. Years later, the man himself called in to Mr. Mangino's show.

Mr, Marshall said, " 'My, Robert, how you've grown,' " Mr. Mangino said. "It was so emotional having the guy I first talked to on talk radio calling my show."

Mr. Pintek remembers Mr. Marshall as a showman but "always a gentleman" who could field all calls with poise.

Mr. Pintek said the host was a perfect fit for that time slot because he was such a good listener. "It was more than just conversation," Mr. Pintek said, "and he'd give people more time than they would generally give on a talk show."

Mr. Marshall was married three times and is survived by his companion of 28 years, Rose Fabiani; his daughter, Robin Marshall of Charlotte, N.C.; and seven grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 2 to 7 p.m. today at William Slater II Funeral Service in Scott.

For Robert Mangino, Perry Marshall was an inspiration.

When Mangino was just 13, he called the "Marshall's Office" radio show on KDKA. He wanted to talk about education, and the show host chatted with him for several minutes, just as he talked to any adult caller who wanted to have a say.

Perry Marshall, known as the radio station's overnight voice through the 1970s and 1980s, died Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011, in UPMC Presbyterian in Oakland about two weeks after having a heart attack, according to KDKA. He was 86.

"I guess the reason why he had such an impact on me was because he took the call, and treated me -- a kid -- as though I had something important to say," said Mangino, now an evening host at the station. "Overnight radio is a bit of a different animal: It's more conversational, more engaging.

"He did overnight radio to a standard that everyone else at this point gets judged by."

"Marshall's Office" lasted for about 25 years until Mr. Marshall retired in 1988, said Marshall Adams, the station's program director. Mr. Marshall spent time at several other local stations, including WWSW, WTAE, WJAS, WEEP and KQV.

He had a special talent for the overnight work, though, Adams and Mangino said. It can be a long shift with few callers and no co-host. Hosts need enough personality and stamina to work solo and find interesting topics, Adams said.

Mr. Marshall had special ability to seem inviting and engaging for audiences, rather than the type of confrontational personality that is more common during the day, Mangino said.

When he was growing up, Adams' grandmother -- like many Pittsburgh insomniacs -- would listen Marshall as she went to sleep, Adams said.

"He was certainly a broadcast institution in Pittsburgh," Adams added. His show "provided a window on Pittsburgh for the overnight hours."

Former KQV, WTAE, WEDO, WPNT personality Tom Schrecengost Sr passed away on October 16, 2011 at Grove City Medical Center. Tom was best know for his time at KQV as Tom Lee and at WTAE as Tom Lyons. Tom retired from radio in 1996 after a career that took him Kittaning to Erie to Connecticut to Pittsburgh and California and Arizona.

Born March11, 1934, in Ford City, he was a son of the late Walter and (Wilda) McGuire Schrecengost.

A famous radio personality known as Tom Lee, and in Pittsburgh, Tom Lyons, he worked for WACB, WTAE-AM, and KQV-AM, top 40 stations, and numerous stations in California. He was a member of the American Federation of Television and Radio Announcers.

A sports lover, he played basketball for Ford City High School, and was on the team that played in the state championship. Tom;s contribution to Ford City High School earned him numerous All Section 1, All WPIAL, nd All-State Honors. He then played for Westminster College, Tom also served as a high school basketball referee, and was inducted to the Armstrong County Sports Hall of Fame. He also enjoyed golfing, and playing computer games.

He formerly attemded First Presbyterian Church, Ford City.

Tom is survived by his wife, Cathy B. (Harmon) Schrecengost of Grove City, his children, Linda (Gray) Weller of Mars, Thomas (Diane) Schrecongost Jr., of Wexford, Bambi Stock of Vero Beach, Fl., and Sherry Schrecongost of Mercersburg, four grandchildren, Matthew Weller, Alyssa Schrecongost, Eric Schrecengost, and Heather Strock,

In addition to hs parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Evelyn Stein.

Former KQV passed away on Friday February 26, 2010. Mark joined KQV from WIIC-TV Channel 11 in Pittsburgh in 1966. With an incredible voice and authoritative delivery Mark Shaefer was the consumate professional.

Retired in 1999
     Aiken, who owned at various times a number of radio stations, restaurants and other businesses, retired from a 44-year career in advertising and entertainment promotion in 1999.
     He was chairman of the Vanderburgh County Democratic Party from March 2005 until February 2008, when he stepped down for health-related reasons.
     In an interview in 1999, Aiken told the Courier & Press he got a job at age 12 - with the aid of a fib.
     "I used my brother Keith's birth certificate to get a job as an usher at the Grand Theater," he recalled. "Keith was 16 and could (legally) work. I was just 12 and couldn't. But I wanted that job, so I used his birth certificate and spent my whole time at the Grand being called Keith."
     In 1955, at age 15, Aiken got a job as a record sorter with WGBF. He would purchase the station 32 years later.
     His career soon took a characteristically colorful turn.
     While still attending Bosse High School in the late 1950s, Aiken achieved local celebrity status as "Lonesome Larry" on WEOA Radio. The name derived from his toiling away in an isolated studio in the old YMCA building.
     While at WEOA, Aiken hosted a dance show on what later became WEHT-News25. In 1958 he left Evansville to pursue work as a radio disc jockey with broadcast stations in Louisville, Ky., Pittsburgh and Atlanta.
     Returning to Evansville in 1963 with his heart set on carving a niche in the entertainment and promotion business, Aiken founded the Aiken Agency with Keith.

All-star talent
     The company, later renamed Aiken Management, would produce 1,700 shows over the next 36 years, including events with Frank Sinatra, the Harlem Globetrotters, Larry Bird, Elton John, Johnny Carson, Jay Leno and Barry Manilow.
     The company, which Aiken sold in 1999, ultimately became the second-largest presenter of touring Broadway shows in the United States.
     A year ago this month, a group of Aiken's friends organized a roast in the Casino Aztar Conference Center titled "An Evening with Lonesome Larry," which netted more than $37,000. The money went - at Aiken's insistence - to four charities.
     "People didn't always know this side of Larry, but he donated to a number of charities and never wanted any credit or recognition for it," said current Democratic Party Chairman Mark Owen, a friend of Aiken's for 40 years. "He would help them raise money, help them put on an event or give them money. He was extraordinarily generous."
     In April, the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Building Authority renamed The Centre's former Vanderburgh County Auditorium for Aiken, dubbing it the Larry Aiken Theater.
     Aiken later called the auditorium renaming one of the highlights of his life.
     On Sunday, Larry "Bubbles" Pollock, now the sole owner of The Pub, celebrated Aiken's friendship and the grand sweep of his career.
     At times during that career, Pollock called Aiken boss. At all times, he called him friend. "Just a wonderful man," Pollock said, searching for words to describe his sense of loss. "A very treasured gem."
     Pollock managed Theatre A when Aiken bought the tavern next door, which later became The Pub. He ended up managing both facilities for a time, purchasing Aiken's interest in The Pub from him in 1981.
     Along the way, Pollock recalled, Aiken passed on countless nuggets of wisdom about business and about life.
     "I'm where I'm at today because of him," he said. "The city has lost one of the people who makes the city."

Steve Lohle's distinctive voice has been a familiar one to listeners of all-news KQV-AM (1410), where he spent most of his three-decade radio career.

Mr. Lohle, of New Brighton, died yesterday morning of an apparent heart attack. He was 58.

He grew up in Ross and was a graduate of North Hills High School and of Curry College in Massachusetts, where he majored in speech and communications.

Mr. Lohle was a fixture in local radio news, working as an anchor and reporter. His first broadcasting job was with WQRC-FM in Hyannis, Mass., where he was on hand for a historic news story of that era: the 1969 Chappaquiddick auto accident involving U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy. He went on to work as a program director at stations in Springfield, Mass.

He returned to the Pittsburgh market and joined KQV in 1974, the year before it switched to its current all-news format. In recent years, Mr. Lohle was the afternoon news anchor with Joe Fenn, and, before that, anchored the morning news with P.J. Maloney. He was the longest tenured staff member at the station.

He was "someone many identified as the voice of the station," said KQV news director Frank Gottlieb. "Steve is a one-of-kind, old-school newsman."

His voice -- deep, resonant and authoritative -- lent itself to the medium of radio. His was "the sort of voice that if he had been doing something else [for a living], people would say 'You should be in radio,'" Mr. Gottlieb said.

He said response to the news of Mr. Lohle's passing from listeners and public figures has been huge. "He's going to be missed by a lot of people."

Mr. Gottlieb also recalled Mr. Lohle's devotion to his 10-year-old son, Collin.

"In the newsroom just last week, we were talking about the untimely death of TV journalist Tim Russert and almost prophetically, Steve confided that it's the way he hoped to go, that he didn't want to linger at death's door," said KQV president Robert Dickey in an editorial airing on the station.

Mr. Maloney, who joined the station a year after Mr. Lohle started, said that he and his colleagues were "stunned" by the news.

"We have a variety of political points of view on staff," he said, noting that Mr. Lohle leaned to the conservative side and he to the liberal. "We were always tossing hand grenades at each other, in a friendly way."

Off the air, Mr. Lohle enjoyed playing golf and reading, and was a baseball umpire for the PIAA.

In addition to his son, Mr. Lohle is survived by his wife, Barbara; father, Edward, of the North Hills; a brother, Tim, of Allison Park; and a sister, Dolores Simon, of Chicago; and stepchildren Douglas V. Pletz, of Northeast, Pa.; and Jason F. Pletz and Jamie L. Pletz, both of Pittsburgh.

Visitation is from 6 to 8 p.m. tomorrow and 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at J&J Spratt Funeral Home, 1612 Third Ave., New Brighton. Visitation will be from 10 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Paul Cathedral, Oakland, with a funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery.

After 34 years as anchorman and reporter at KQV Radio, Steve Lohle was regarded by his colleagues as the voice of the local station.

"Steve's deep, resonant presentation of the news almost demanded that the listener stay tuned .....or else," said Robert W. Dickey, president and general manager of KQV.

Stephen E. Lohle of New Brighton, Beaver County, died of an apparent heart attack on Friday, June 20, 2008, in the Medical Center, Beaver. He was 58.

KQV News director Frank Gottlieb recalled Mr. Lohle as a one-of-a-kind reporter, to whom you could hand a cold script seconds before he went on the air, and he could handle it like the professional he was.

"And it's rare when an applicant walks into your office with the credentials that Steve brought to the station," Gottlieb added.

Mr. Lohle, the son of Edward H. Lohle of Hampton and the late Catherine McCarron Lohle, was raised in Ross, graduated from North Hills High School, and graduated from Curry College in Boston, where he received his degree in speech communications.

He became interested in broadcasting at North Hills High School when he did the public address announcements.

Mr. Lohle's first job in broadcasting was with WQRC-FM in Hyannis, Mass., where he covered the fatal accident at Chappaquiddick involving Sen. Ted Kennedy and his landslide re-election after it. He was program director at WHVY-FM and WMAS-AM in Springfield, Mass.

Mr. Lohle enjoyed golf and was a motorcycle enthusiast. He was a baseball umpire for the PIAA and the legion league.

Mr. Lohle is survived by his wife, Barbara Smolar Lohle and 10-year-old son, Collin Matthew Lohle at home; stepsons, Douglas V. Pletz of Northeast, Erie County and Jason F. Pletz of Pittsburgh; a stepdaughter, Jamie L. Pletz of Pittsburgh; his brother, Timothy J. Lohle of Hampton and his sister, Dolores M. Simon of Chicago.

He was preceded in death by his mother, who died on May 9, 2009, and a brother, Matthew T. Lohle.

Visitation is from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday and 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, at the J&J Spratt Funeral Home, 1612 Third Ave., New Brighton, Beaver County.

Visitation at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Paul Cathedral, Oakland, followed by a Mass at 10:30 a.m. at the cathedral.

Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Hazelwood. 

     How do you say goodbye to a friend and fellow worker who has just passed away?  Where are the words ... the phrases that sufficiently define and embody the hurtful sorrow of the loss?

     Steve Lohle passed away Friday morning from an apparent heart attack at the too young age of 58.  He had been a member of our KQV family since 1974.  In many respects, Steve's was the voice of KQV ... his deep resonant presentation of the news almost demanded that the listener stay tuned ... or else!

     He began his long career in our newsroom in 1974 and over the 34 years of his tenure here he worked as both anchor and reporter. 

     Somehow, we are never prepared for the inevitability of death.  In the newsroom just last week, we were talking about the untimely death of TV Journalist Tim Russert and almost prophetically, Steve confided that it's the way he hoped to go;  That he didn't want to linger at death's door as had members of his family.

     Apparently the Almighty got the message!

     According to the Holy Bible ... A good name is better than precious ointment and the day of death than the day of one's birth.

     Thus will we remember the good name of Stephen Lohel.  May he rest in peace!

Robert W. Dickey 
President
1410 KQV Newsradio

Longtime radio newsman Keeve Berman was a fun-loving guy with a knack for playing golf. In fact, his friends argued that he could have turned pro if he had pursued the sport more.

"People knew him for his sense of humor, his news ability and his love of golf," said his long-term friend, Bob Gibson.

Mr. Berman, 71, died Sunday in his Hillcrest nursing home in Pembroke Pines, Fla., from inoperable lung cancer.

Mr. Berman grew up in Greensburg but considered Pittsburgh to be his "hometown." He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh.

Mr. Berman began working in radio during his late teens and in 1961 was a fill-in air personality and news broadcaster at KQV, where he worked for about six years.

He was news director at New York's WOR-FM for two years before returning to Pittsburgh to work at WTAE Radio. In 1974, he left for New York again and became a correspondent on the American Contemporary Network for 10 years.

Mr. Berman retired five years ago to Pembroke Pines, where he enjoyed time with his companion, Elaine Kugelman. Mr Berman is survived by three children.

Funeral arrangements were incomplete.

Pittsburgh radio lost 2 more legends. Within a span of just 5 days, former KDKA radio presonalities Art Pallan and Bob Tracey passed away. Art Pallan died on Monday January 22, 2007 at the age of 83. On Friday January 26, 2007, Bob Tracey died at the age of 83. Both are remembered fondly by Pittsburghers who listened to KDKA in the 1950's, 60's and 70's.

Obituary: Arthur E. Pallan / 'Your pal, Pallan' at KDKA and WWSW
May 11, 1923 - Jan. 22, 2007

Art Pallan from 1985 - Pittsburgh Post Gazette
By John Hayes , Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The radio celebrity who referred to himself on the air as "Your pal, Pallan" died Monday at St. John Specialty Care Center in Mars. He was 83.

Born in Braddock to the late Rudolph and Elizabeth Berger Pallan, Mr. Pallan landed his first radio job at WWSW a year after graduating from Brentwood High School.

During World War II, he was a radio operator aboard a B-25 bomber flying missions over the Aleutian Islands. Mr. Pallan was awarded the Air Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Asiatic Pacific Ribbon with three battle stars.

After the war, he returned to WWSW, where he worked for more than a decade. He moved to KDKA in 1956.

When Rege Cordic left his popular morning show in 1965, Mr. Pallan and co-host Bob Trow inherited the time slot. He stayed with KDKA in various roles until his retirement in 1985.

Singer Bobby Vinton, a Canonsburg native, still calls Mr. Pallan "the godfather of radio in Pittsburgh."

"I remember Art Pallan played a Bobby Vinton song on KDKA every day he was on the radio," he said.

Perhaps Mr. Pallan's dedication to musicians was kindled by his aborted music career. He cut two records, "Waiting" and "Sleepy Time Down South," and sang with The Lee Kelton Band.

"What you might not know," said Pittsburgh radio personality Jack Bogut, "is that Art Pallan was one of the best singers I ever heard. He sounded as much like Bing Crosby as Bing Crosby. I said one time, 'Art, why didn't you pursue it as a career?' He said he didn't want to travel and wanted to be with his family."

Mr. Bogut, now at WJAS, took over the KDKA morning show in 1968.

"Sometimes, it's not comfortable to be replaced by somebody," he said. "But Art never had a cross word or bad attitude, never showed any hostility or resentment to me at all. He couldn't have been more welcoming."

Off the air, Mr. Pallan is remembered by colleagues as a hard worker, good sport and practical joker.

John Cigna, who hosted the KDKA morning show from 1983 to 2001, said he was sometimes the victim of Mr. Pallan's humor, but he respected his upbeat attitude and professionalism.

"He was always up. I never saw him get angry with anybody," said Mr. Cigna.

Mr. Pallan helped raise money for Children's Hospital during holiday season broadcasts from department store windows, and on the 40th anniversary of his career in radio, the Myasthenia Gravis Association, one of his many charities, presented him with the Art Pallan Humanitarian Award for contributions to the community. In 2002, he was inducted to the Brentwood High School Hall of Fame.

Mr. Pallan attended St. Kilian Church in Mars, was active in the Knights of Columbus, Rotary Club, Masonic Lodge and American Diabetes Association, and was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

He is survived by his brother, Rudolph Pallan of Pittsburgh; son Arthur Pallan Jr. of Butler; daughters Andrea "Pidge" Welsh of Butler, Anne Olescyski of Mars, and Artha Hockenberry of Shippensburg; his friend Irene Cherchiaro; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson.

Distant listeners may have been attracted by the warm voice that called them each "tiger." Local listeners maybe have been taken by the man behind the voice, a vibrant personality who drove to work every day on his Vespa scooter.

Mr. Tracey, of Carnegie, died Friday from complications of pneumonia, said his wife, Marjorie Michel. He was 83.

"He had a gorgeous voice," Mrs. Michel said. "I haven't heard anything to compare it to."

Mr. Tracey, who was born Robert Charles Michel in Rutherford, N.J. to Edith and Lester Michel, used two names while at KDKA.

He started as Johnny Ryder, part of the Ryder Brothers team that broadcast late-evening programs. He came by Bob Tracey when he moved to a mid-afternoon slot. At the time, a well-known DJ at another local station had a surname similar to Michel. The station renamed him Bob Tracey to avoid confusion among listeners.

Mr. Tracey found out about his new identity when a Westinghouse executive presented new DJs with engraved lighters. When he saw his, bidding good luck and good ratings to "Bob Tracey," he handed it back, saying, "This isn't my name."

The executives responded, "It is now."

As a DJ, Mr. Tracey loved the music he played and spent many Sundays listening to the records he had been sent the previous week. Though he kept a certain fondness for the sounds of the big band era, Mr. Tracey had a gift for picking out the next hit song of the day. Among the songs he spotted before their rise to fame were Dionne Warwick's hit "Valley of the Dolls" and Richard Harris' "MacArthur Park."

Mrs. Michel said her basement is still filled with 20,000 records.

In addition to music, Mr. Tracey enjoyed Hawaii, and he led annual listener trips to the islands before moving there with his wife for a year.

Prior to joining KDKA in 1954, Mr. Tracey served in the Navy during World War II and later worked as a page at NBC in New York while studying acting.

He went on to work radio stints in North Carolina, Syracuse, N.Y., and Altoona, where he met his wife. The couple were married in 1947.

A few years later, Mr. Tracey almost aquired another name. Mr. Tracey was visiting his friend Bob Keeshan at the NBC studios when Mr. Keeshan offered him an acting role in a pilot television program. Mr. Tracey turned it down because, as a pilot, the role was unpaid, and he had to provide for his wife and small children.

The role was for Captain Kangaroo.

Though he missed his initial chance at acting, Mr. Tracey found himself performing long after he left KDKA in 1969.

He stayed in broadcasting by recording commercials, acting in local theater, and performing in several films, including "The Mothman Prophecies," "Houseguest," and "Black Dahlia."

"He was an actor. There was no two ways about that," Mrs. Michel said. "He was always on stage, always liked to be the center of attention."

Mr. Tracey also liked riding scooters. He was turned on to the alternative method of transportation when fellow KDKA DJ Clark Race brought his scooter into the station one Saturday. Mr. Tracey borrowed it over the weekend, and his love for the two-wheeled vehicle was born.

Nothing would stop Mr. Tracey from riding his scooter down the Parkway West to the KDKA station, Mrs. Michel said. Not even a stormy winter.

When snow covered his driveway, he simply had his four children pull him and his scooter up to the road.

This love led him to own and operate his own shop, Bob Tracey's World of Cycles, for more than 20 years before retiring several years ago.

"He did things his way," Mrs. Michel said.

In addition to becoming an entrepreneur, Mr. Tracey taught himself computer programming, learned how to fly a plane, and routinely worked in his garden, growing orchids.

Besides his wife, Mr. Tracey is survived by four children, Candice Michel of Brookings, Ore., Gregory Michel of Franklin Park, Dana Mandolini of Bolingbrook, Ill., and Marjorie Pintea of Bridgeville; a brother, Douglas of Hackensack, N.J.; and seven grandchildren.

Both became pioneers and household names, the former as a lawyer, judge and advocate for civil rights, the latter as a radio journalist who captured 33 years of African-American history in Pittsburgh.

This week, they died within hours of each other -- Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Walter R. Little, 62, on Monday evening of prostate cancer, and WDUQ radio host Anderson P. Little, 66, found dead Sunday night in his Uptown home, of undetermined causes. The family was awaiting an autopsy report yesterday.

Judge Little, the youngest of 12 siblings, had battled cancer for three years but kept working from home even after his retirement in January. He had moved to Forbes Hospice May 30, said his daughter, Karren Little, of Penn Hills.

While his brother was engaged in the law, Anderson Little was recording community events and stories highlighting black struggles and achievement, rarely inserting himself into the picture.

"Anderson probably had the most extensive tape collection of events in the black community that has ever existed," said Mr. Udin, "and he never tried to put himself in front. He was always behind the scenes, recording."

Anderson Little was most recently known for producing "The Anderson Little Report," which aired on WDUQ each Sunday. From the beginning of his career, he was at the forefront of the movement to get more minority viewpoints onto the public airwaves, especially in public radio.

He became interested in broadcasting while attending high school in the Pittsburgh public schools and eventually worked in all areas of the business -- as a disc jockey and in sales and promotions -- before settling into a career in news and public affairs. He worked in radio in Kansas City and, in Pittsburgh, at WAMO-FM, WAMO-AM, KQV-AM and WQED-TV.

In 1972, WDUQ-FM at Duquesne University hired him to work with students and develop a community affairs voice. It was a time when shows addressing minority issues were few.

He hosted several programs over the years: "Window Into the Community," "Community Perspective" and "Pittsburgh Perspective," which evolved into "The Anderson Little Report."

The weekly show focused on many subjects, from jobs and education to social and cultural topics. His annual Black History Month specials explored such things as the segregation of the military during World War II and the Homestead Grays and Pittsburgh Crawfords baseball teams.

Mr. Little spent hours on location, recording speeches, seminars and community meetings. He wanted to give audiences the full, unedited event.

"He always said, 'I want to do this for the people who aren't able to make it to these interesting community forums,' " said WDUQ news director Kevin Gavin, who was a student working at the station when he first met Mr. Little.

"He explored issues that, if they got mentioned [elsewhere], would be in passing. He gave a voice to people who had not been heard."

"For a broadcaster, Anderson was a relatively quiet person," said station manager Scott Hanley. "What he did best was listen and seek out the voices of others telling their stories."

His work in broadcasting made him a leader in the African-American community, Mr. Hanley said.

"So much of what he did was exposing African-American issues to a broader community," he said, like covering minority health before the mainstream media noticed it.

In 1998, the U.S. House of Representatives recognized his work as a radio journalist. He received the New People Justice Award from the Thomas Merton Center and the Community Services and Communications Award from the Alleghenians Ltd., and was named 2003 Professional Man of the Year by the Pittsburgh Club of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs.

Mr. Little never married and had no children. He is survived by two sisters, Patricia Bruce of Glen Hazel and Barbara West of East Liberty.

Judge Little's survivors, in addition to his sisters and daughter, are his wife, Elizabeth Little of Penn Hills, another daughter, Lisa Little of Wilkinsburg, and a grandson.

Mr. Dabecco started his broadcast career in Connellsville and became widely known to Pittsburghers as a disc jockey for KQV in the 1950s. Apart from spinning records, Mr. Dabecco announced upcoming songs and informed listeners what was going on in town.

"He was considered one of the 'fab five,' the fabulous five announcers for KQV," said Joanne Dabecco, one of his nieces.

In the '60s, Mr. Dabecco moved to WTAE radio, where he became the voice of late-afternoon "drive time" for several years. He continued his career on the TV side of WTAE as an announcer for Channel 4.

Bob Watt, staff director at WTAE-TV, remembers Mr. Dabecco as being a very private but amiable colleague and good friend.

"I knew him from the time I started at the station in 1969 and got to be very friendly with him," Watt said. "I was a great fan of Pittsburgh radio and Henry was the voice of KQV for years."

Mr. Dabecco hosted a weekly public affairs program during the '70s. "I directed him as he hosted 'Community Outreach,' " Watt recalled. "We had community leaders come in and talk about the town. The show was really produced for him."

After retiring in 1987, Mr. Dabecco spent the winter months in West Palm Beach, Fla., until his health failed two years ago. "He loved the heat, the sun," says his niece.

Mr. Dabecco, a longtime member of the Pittsburgh Athletic Association, never married. He was very fond of his family, especially his nephews and nieces, whom he frequently joined for dinner and family gatherings. 

"Murrow was in Pittsburgh for an Alcoa event, and his evening program was being broadcast through WJAS, which at the time was a CBS affiliate," said Robert W. Dickey, president and general manager of KQV Radio.

"Henry asked Murrow for a job in New York City. Murrow, who had heard Henry broadcast that day, took his name and phone number. He contacted Henry shortly after and offered him a job. Henry never followed it up."

Henry R. Dabecco, of Mt. Washington, died of cancer on Wednesday, March 30, 2005, at Fair Oaks Skilled Nursing Facility in Brookline. He was 79.

Working afternoons at KQV, Mr. Dabecco could be seen through a large window broadcasting from his studio in the Chamber of Commerce Building at the corner of Seventh Avenue and Smithfield Street, Downtown.

His niece, Joanne Dabecco, said she was the envy of her high school friends when she took them to watch her uncle at the window. "And often I'd hurry home from school and turn on the radio to listen to my uncle," she said.

In a 1971 interview with Ed Blank, then the film critic for The Pittsburgh Press and now the film critic for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Mr. Dabecco said he was shy and bashful, especially in high school.

"I was often told that I needed to get out of my shell," Dabecco told Blank.

"He also said how important it was to be upbeat during the time you're on the air. He said that listeners turned you on to be entertained and not to listen to your problems," Blank said.

His shyness was evident during the years he ate breakfast at the Village Dairy on Shiloh Street, Mt. Washington. "He was a gentleman," said waitress Audrey Samstag. "He was the kind of person who never made his presence known. But once he spoke, everyone knew he was in the house."

Born and raised on Mt. Washington, Mr. Dabecco was one of seven children of Rocco and Josephine Dabecco, who emigrated from Italy. His father was a bricklayer.

Following graduation from South Hills High School on Mt. Washington, Mr. Dabecco enrolled at Carnegie Institute of Technology -- now Carnegie Mellon University -- where he received his degree in theater.

Prior to entering the Air Force during the Korean War, Mr. Dabecco was enrolled at a broadcast school in Cincinnati.

His family said Mr. Dabecco's interest in radio probably saved his life during the war. "One of the Air Force generals recruited Uncle Henry to open a new Air Force broadcast center in St. Louis," Joanne Dabecco said. "The entire group that he had trained with was sent to Korea and all of the men were killed in action."

Following his discharge from the military, Mr. Dabecco began his career at WCCI in Connellsville, Fayette County. In the ensuing years, he was employed by WJAS, KQV and WTAE. At WTAE, he appeared on television with Del Taylor in "Community Outreach." He retired from WTAE in 1987.

October 27, 2003 10:13 PM EST

LOS ANGELES - Rod Roddy, the flamboyantly dressed announcer on "The Price is Right" whose booming, jovial voice invited lucky audience members to "Come on down!" for nearly 20 years, died Monday. He was 66. 
     Roddy, who suffered from colon and breast cancer, died at Century City Hospital, according to his longtime agent, Don Pitts. He had been hospitalized for two months. 
     "He had such a strong spirit. He just wouldn't give up," Pitts said Monday. 
     Roddy had been ill for more than two years but tried to work as long as he could, said Bob Barker, host of "The Price is Right." Roddy had been with the game show for 17 years. 
     "The courage he showed during those difficult times was an inspiration to us all," Barker said in a statement Monday. 
     Barker recounted a recent visit to his friend: "I went to the hospital and sat on the edge of his bed and we laughed the whole time we were talking. He was still having fun." 
     Roddy's announcing stints included "Love Connection" (1981-85) and "Press Your Luck" (1983-86), but "The Price is Right" earned him his greatest fame. "The Price is Right" remains one of television's most popular game shows, and Roddy, with his flashy sport coats and booming voice, was a big part of the success. 
     "He started wearing those jackets when he joined the show," Barker said. "He was quite a character. He was important to the success of the show. He had the spirit of `The Price Is Right.' It's a fun show. We did it with the hope people will forget their problems for awhile." 
     Roddy, whose real name was Robert Ray Roddy, was born Sept. 18, 1937, in Fort Worth, Texas, Pitts said. 
     He was a graduate of Texas Christian University and a popular disc jockey in Texas when he decided to expand his career in Hollywood, his agent recalled. 
    Roddy's versatility made him a popular voice-over artist for commercials in Los Angeles, Pitts said. He got his big break in television with the 1977-81 satire "Soap." 
     Disc jockey Casey Kasem, who was the first announcer on the risque series, decided he did not want to stay with it and asked Pitts if he knew someone who could take over. 
     "I said, 'I've got a guy who's terrific,'" Pitts said. "Rod started with 'Soap' and then his career took off."
     Roddy, who taped his last show about two months ago, had colon cancer surgery on Sept. 11, 2001, and his left breast removed last March. 
     The diseases appeared under control following chemotherapy but flared up again, Pitts said. The two cancers, which Roddy had said were unconnected, prompted him to become a spokesman for early detection. 
    "I could have prevented all this with a colonoscopy and, of course, that's the campaign I've been on since I had the first surgery," he said in a recent interview on a CBS Web site. 
     Breast cancer, although typically associated with women, is diagnosed in about 1,500 American men a year, Roddy said in the CBS interview: "To everybody out there, 'Get a mammogram!' It can happen to men, too." 
     Roddy was single. The only family member he talked about was his mother, who died several years ago, Pitts said. 
     Private funeral services will be held in Texas, with a memorial service planned in Los Angeles in several weeks, CBS said. 
---
Associated Press writers Jeff Wilson and Lynn Elber in Los Angeles contributed to this report.

Saturday, March 29, 2003
By Cindi Lash, Post-Gazette Staff Writer

John Dove Gibbs, a former KQV executive who pulled off a broadcasting coup by using a 30-second delay to circumvent a ban on airing the Beatles' first Pittsburgh concert live in 1964, died of a stroke Tuesday in his home. He was 80.

Mr. Gibbs, of Mt. Lebanon, got into radio in the early 1940s when he was spurred to apply for a job as an announcer by friends who'd grown tired of hearing him make fun of the on-air talent at a station in Morgantown, W.Va. He spent four decades working in broadcasting and communications, becoming vice president and general manager at KQV and later a professor at Duquesne University.

A native of Cumberland, Md., Mr. Gibbs was the son of a Methodist minister who moved his family during the 1920s and '30s from Maryland to California and back east to West Virginia. Mr. Gibbs graduated in 1937 from Morgantown High School and attended West Virginia University before going to work as a laborer at a DuPont munitions factory in Morgantown, said his  son, Jeffrey F. Gibbs of Bethel Park.

While at DuPont, Mr. Gibbs entertained and exasperated co-workers by mocking the announcers on the local radio station. Finally, they dared him to try it himself if he thought he could do better.

"He climbed down off the roof, went home and put on his best suit and walked into the radio station," his son said. "He got the job."

After working at WCLG-AM in Morgantown, Mr. Gibbs moved on to Pittsburgh and KQV. From another on-air slot, he worked his way up through administrative positions to become vice president and general manager in 1957.

"After the big snow of 1950, he walked all the way from his home in Dormont down through the [Liberty] Tubes and single-handedly got the station on the air," his son said. "That in itself showed his dedication."

During Mr. Gibbs' tenure at KQV, the station was owned by ABC Radio, which used the station as a test market for rock-and-roll music. The station, which later began simulcasting on both the AM and FM bands from its window-encased, street-level studio at Seventh Avenue and Smithfield Street, emerged as a rock and Top 40 station with a national reputation.

Mr. Gibbs helped to arrange the Beatles' first appearance in Pittsburgh in September 1964, then enraged his rivals at KDKA by getting the Fab Four on KQV's airwaves first. Because the Beatles had insisted that their Pittsburgh news conference and concert could not be broadcast live, KDKA had planned to tape and broadcast the events an hour after they ended. 

Mr. Gibbs, however, beat them to it by broadcasting nearly live -- using a 30-second delay. He also introduced one of the first fully mobile broadcasting trailers and other publicity tactics aimed at keeping the public's ears tuned to KQV.

In 1972, Mr. Gibbs left the station after it was sold to another radio network. He worked briefly at 3WS Radio before becoming a professor of communications at Duquesne, where he remained until he retired in 1980.

Along with his wife of 55 years, Evelyn Forbes Gibbs, he was a longtime supporter of the Pittsburgh Symphony and particularly enjoyed the works of Beethoven and Mahler. He was also an avid tennis player and fisherman and was a member of a number of broadcasting clubs and associations.

In addition to his wife and son Jeffrey, Mr. Gibbs is survived by a son, Nathan Gibbs of Murrysville; a daughter, Jeremy Horgan of Aliquippa; a sister, Catherine Robertson of Chicago; and four grandchildren.

There will be no visitation. Plans for a memorial service are incomplete.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Dorsey's Knob Fund, Greater Morgantown Community Trust, P.O. Box 409, Morgantown, WV 26507. The fund will be used to restore Dorsey's Knob, a hilltop park with an expansive view where Mr. Gibbs played as a child.

Saturday, June 29, 2002
By Barbara Vancheri, Post-Gazette Staff Writer 

He ranted. He railed. He really let 'em have it.
Al Julius scorched officeholders, practitioners of political correctness and anyone or anything else that ticked him off during his tenure as a commentator on KDKA-TV.

But his most enduring legacy may be the annual Thanksgiving turkey drive that began with a $10 donation from a Washington County woman who asked him, "Would you see that a needy family gets this?" and grew into an enterprise that has raised more than $8 million. 

Mr. Julius, 73, died yesterday at Kindred Hospital in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He had been diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer in February, 13 years after he quit smoking. 

"He had that gruff exterior on the air, but he was a sweetheart," Ray Tannehill, his former KDKA-TV colleague, recalled yesterday. "He said what he believed. And it came across on the air."

Mr. Julius, a native of Brooklyn, agonized over the five commentaries he delivered each week and often rewrote them in light of breaking news, Tannehill said. "He was very, very dedicated."

That devotion extended to the turkey drive. 

The first "Julius' Turkeys" drive in 1982 raised $90,000. Through the years, the campaign evolved into KDKA's Turkey Fund. Families receive supermarket vouchers, purchased by the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, from their local food pantries. 

Nothing about Mr. Julius was modest in size or tone, from the full beard he once sported to the length of his commentaries and sharpness of his opinions.

He didn't let people or institutions have it with both barrels so much as he aimed a cannon their way. That was true whether he was dissecting fashion dictators from Paris and Rome or suggesting that not all offhand comments are meant to be insensitive. He once growled, "The golden rule of politics is he who has the gold, he who spreads the gold, wins." 

For a special on KDKA-TV's 50th anniversary, Mr. Julius said: "Bill Burns brought integrity to the station. I brought maybe a kind of spice and garlic and cayenne." But even while giving the pompous and powerful heartburn, he was compassionate enough to suggest that the station open its lobby to the homeless overnight when temperatures dipped below freezing. 

"He was a kind man in his heart, regardless of all the bluster," his friend and former KDKA producer Jim Esser said. "He loved the community, the people and the audience, and he deeply respected them." 

People would walk up to Mr. Julius on the street "like he was a friend," Esser said. "They'd tell him their problems, and he was always willing to listen."

 In early 1991, KDKA-TV told Mr. Julius he no longer fit in with the station's plans. His departure came in the midst of a cost-cutting campaign at the station that resulted in 14 layoffs. Mr. Julius said he would have taken a pay cut to remain. 

"I was willing to make a lot of changes, but I'm not going to change who I am," he said at the time. "We had a difference of philosophy about the function of a commentator. I thought my function was to give people what they don't get in the news."

Mr. Julius returned in May 1995 for one final commentary. He did almost five minutes live on the 6 p.m. news, opening with the question, "Where was I before I was so rudely interrupted?"

He thanked Sue McInerney, the executive who fired him, and saluted the city he called home. "If you think that I am bitter and I look back in anger, you are wrong, because I would not have had these past four years of travel and enjoyment" with his wife, Kat, his children and granddaughters, he said. 

He added that he might have dropped dead on the set if he hadn't been pushed out the door and toward white-water rafting, camping, canoeing and other pastimes. But in characteristic Julius style, he also railed against the "bean counters" who have turned newscasts into "fluff and puff" by telling viewers what they want to know instead of what they need to know. 

Although Mr. Julius never lost his New York accent or bluster, he had come to consider Pittsburgh home. "He was a Brooklyn boy, but he had pride in Pittsburgh probably more than many of the native-born," his wife said. 

He arrived here in 1947 to attend what was then Carnegie Tech. After  graduating from the drama school in 1951, he went to Israel, where he was a member of the resident acting company of the famed Habimah Theater. Returning to the United States after six years, Mr. Julius switched from stage to radio.

 He started in Denver, moved to Pittsburgh's KQV as news director and then to WCAU in Philadelphia, where he worked as a talk show host. He had two stints at KDKA-TV -- from November 1973 to July 1978 and September 1981 to January 1991 -- sandwiched around a gig at KABC-TV in Los Angeles. 

 He was a walking, talking advertisement for the annual turkey drive, which survived his tenure at KDKA. Whether he was walking Pittsburgh streets, shopping or standing in the Benedum Center lobby during intermission, people handed him cash after acknowledging his name. 

"They say, 'You're Al Julius,' and they walk away; that makes you feel good," Mr. Julius told the Post-Gazette in 1990. "To me, that's like saying, hey, you're doing good work. That's about as close as you can get to approval in my business. You don't get applause." 

In addition to his wife, Mr. Julius is survived by a son, Rabbi Ethan Julius of  San Jose, Calif.; a daughter, Gari Weilbacher of Merion Station, a Philadelphia suburb; a sister, Elanor Reiter of Chicago, and four grandchildren. 

A graveside ceremony will be held tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. at Mount Judah Cemetery in Brooklyn. Memorial contributions may be made to Chabad Fort Lauderdale, 3500 N. Ocean Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308.
       (courtesy: Pittsburgh Post Gazette)

Clark was at KDKA radio from 1959 until 1970. He also hosted a Saturday afternoon Dance Party on KDKA-TV from 1963-1967.  After leaving KDKA, Clark went to the West Coast and worked at KMPC [Los Angeles CA] from 1971-1978. He hosted "The Parent Game" on ABC-TV  in 1972. Clark also worked at  KYUU [San Francisco CA - 1978], KBRT [LA - 1980] and KYXY [San Diego CA from 1981-1986].(thanks to Johnny Williams 440 Satisfaction)