Obituary
Former WBCK Midday Host David “Renk” Renkiewicz Passes
Former WBCK-FM (Battle Creek) and WKMI-AM (Kalamazoo) host David “Renk” Renkiewicz has passed away. His wife Amy made the announcement on Facebook April 18.
Read MoreFormer MAB/MABF Chair Stephen Trivers Passes
The MAB is sad to pass along that former MAB and MAB Foundation Chairman Stephen Trivers passed away April 10 at age 85. Trivers, along with Bill Wertz founded Fairfield Broadcasting in Kalamazoo, which would eventually own WQLR-FM (now WVFM), WKZO-AM, WKLZ-AM and WQSN-AM (now WTOU).
Read MoreLongtime Dick Purtan Engineer/Producer Dies
Art Vuolo, Jr. passes along news of the passing of John “Ankles” Stewart has passed away. Stewart was the longtime engineer/producer of the popular Dick Purtan radio show at CKLW Windsor, Ontario and Detroit stations: WCZY Z-95-5, WKQI Q-95 and WOMC 104.3 FM.
Read MoreFormer WIOG and WSGW GM John Casey Dies
Dave Maurer, former Operations Director at WSGW-AM/FM in Saginaw told the MAB, “John Casey lived and breathed radio. He was masterful in sales, programming and promotions. He also was a strong proponent of local news and gave me the resources I needed for our award winning station. He did many receptions and dinners to show his appreciation to staff.”
Read MoreWJRT-TV’s Jim Wyatt Passes
WJRT-TV (Flint) has reported the passing on assignment editor Jim Wyatt who died on March 15. Wyatt was 65.
Read MoreLegendary Grand Rapids Air Personality Aris Hampers Dies
Veteran Grand Rapids rock radio personality Aris Hampers passed away February 5 at age 73. Hampers spent nearly 40 years in the format and is best known for his time at WLAV-FM, which he helped launch, in the 1970s.
Read MoreU.P. Broadcaster Aaron Harper Passes
Pioneer Upper Peninsula broadcaster Aaron Harper passed away. Harper worked at WJNR-FM (Iron Mountain) and Results Broadcasting, for nearly 50 years.
He died on Sunday (1/8) at the age of 76. Harper was the first voice heard on WJNR went it signed on in 1972.
Read MoreDuke Wright Passes at 83
During our Christmas break, the MAB was saddened to get news that Midwest Communications President/CEO Duey E. ‘Duke’ Wright, Jr. passed away December 21 at age of 83.
Read MoreWHTC/Holland Pioneer Bill Gargano Passes Away
Midwest Communication’s WHTC/WYVN (Holland) reports that longtime program host Bill Gargano passed away December 5 at age 98. The World War II veteran from Detroit first came to WHTC in 1954.
Read MoreFormer WILX News Director Kevin Ragan Dies
During his time at the station, Ragan hired and trained hundreds of people who would work in front of the camera and behind it, many who have taken the guidance and advice to advance their careers fat beyond mid-Michigan.
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