Dan Spaulding

The MAB has learned that former WOOD-TV (Grand Rapids) News Director, Dan Spaulding passed away April 7 at age 79.  Spaulding, born and raised in Saginaw, graduated from the University of Michigan, earning BA and MA degrees.  He served as as the "Voice" of the bands, announcing the marching band at the Big House.  At UOM, he also was also a member of the Druid Honorary Society and station manager of student radio station WCBN.

In 1984, he moved to Grand Rapids to become News Director at WOOD-TV, a position he held for four years.  Before joining WOOD-TV, he served as News Director at KOMU-TV (Columbia, MO) and on the faculty in the University of Missouri, Columbia School of Journalism. His booming voice and no-nonsense approach to communication were honed working as News Anchor and Producer in Green Bay, WI, in Saginaw, and as Aide and Public Affairs Officer to the Commander, Training Command, U.S. Pacific Fleet, San Diego.

After leaving WOOD-TV in 1989, Spaulding joined Seyferth PR, becoming a principal in 1994. He was an Accredited Public Relations Practitioner specializing in crisis communications.

He is survived by wife of 47 years Trisha (Gorman), daughter Sarah (Chad) Sikkema, son Andrew, and grandchildren Quinton, Kellen, and Harper Sikkema, a sister-in-law, nieces and grandnieces.

Donations, in lieu of flowers, can be made to United Church Outreach Ministries (UCOM). Visitation will be Friday, April 19, 5 - 7 p.m.; Celebration of life Saturday, April 20, both at Plymouth United Church of Christ, 4010 Kalamazoo Avenue SE, Grand Rapids.