DAVE ATHERTON, NEWSWRITER David Atherton died at New Jersey's Hackensack Medical Center overnight, April 25, 2019, from a stroke suffered on the weekend. Retired anchor Bob Gibson reports: "It's a terribly sad ending for a man who was so sweet and easygoing. Known as Davey to most of his friends and colleagues, this longtime newswriter and producer at WCBS NewsRadio88, following a writer's stint at ABC Radio News, Dave was 81. Davey was very good at what he did professionally and was always prompt in setting the necessary priorities when he was at the Producer's Desk. Away from all of that and socially, he was as you'd expect, laid-back and a joy to talk to and with whom to share various and sundry war stories. That face and beard frequently got him and others drawing comparisons with the hilarious stand-up comic George Carlin, but Davey never seemed to mind. As I said, he was an easygoing man and a true gentlemen, and as I was reminded by Don Swaim some years ago, Davey also had a beautiful singing voice. Sadly, I knew the man for 46 years, but I never heard it. But I had the pleasure, as did many of you, of working with and knowing Davey! I'm told at this point, it's uncertain if there will be a funeral or memorial service, although it's my understanding that his niece may arrange something next month." Here is Dave Atherton's vocal "illustration" of Edgar Allan Poe for a report Don Swaim did for his CBS Book Beat feature. Listen HERE:

DON BLAIR, 1933-2018 Don, who was 85, died on December 8, 2018 in Florida where he lived with his wife, Pat, of 54 years. He is also survived by three children and six grandchildren. Born in Newark, he got into broadcasting in the 1950s after a hitch in the Army and worked at several stations in New England including WPOP, Hartford. He was recruited in 1965 by the Mutual Broadcasting System in New York as a news broadcaster and writer. Don spent five years at that shop before becoming an anchor and reporter at New York's WCBS NewsRadio88. That was followed by work as an ABC News Correspondent on the American Entertainment Network, and then in mid-1974 he moved to NBC Radio as an hourlies correspondent. It was there that Don and I met, and where he spent about 15 years before closing out his New York career and moving to Venice, Florida. --Bob Gibson

PALMER PAYNE, 1930-2018 The early WCBS news anchor died September 2, 2018, in Boothbay Harbor, Maine. A Remembrance from Bob Gibson A native of Cincinnati, Palmer was a handsome and an imposing figure at about 6' 7'' and was always a pleasure to have as a newsroom colleague. We met at WCBS, New York in early 1974 where Palmer spent more than a decade in a career which began at age 20 in the Army where he distinguished himself as a combat correspondent for Armed Forces Radio. In one instance, in early 1951, we're told that Palmer Payne was able to make a recording while parachuting behind enemy lines with the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team. Palmer earned a flurry of military accolades including the Korean Service Medal with four battle stars. As exhilarating as all of that was, it was just the beginning of a civilian career that spanned parts of five decades and began in Lynn, Massachusetts, and included subsequent broadcast stops in New Hampshire, Vermont and upstate New York before Payne began making a name for himself as an anchorman and reporter at Boston's WNAC, WRKO, and the Yankee Network. He also hosted the radio talk show, "Boston Forum," and worked as news broadcaster at Boston's Channel 7, WNAC-TV. All of that put him in a position to apply for and win an anchorman slot at New York's WCBS NewsRadio88 in the late 60s. It was the outset of a 26-year stint in the Big Apple, where this tall, lean man, with a baritone voice delivered the news locally on "88" and later on several other stations plus on ABC Radio coast-to-coast. Despite his size and his sound, Palmer was as friendly as they came and had no problem in good hours or bad delivering the stream of important stories that was NewsRadio88. Obituary HERE

RALPH H0WARD, 1941-2018 Ralph Howard, former WCBS newswriter and anchor -- later WINS and "The Howard Stern Show" -- died of pulmonary fibrosis on August 7, 2018, at the age of 77. Howard, who was married to the actress Julie Halston, had undergone a lung transplant in 2010. Services were held on August 12 at Riverside Memorial Chapel, New York City.

FRAN SCHNEIDAU, RETIRED WCBS CONNECTICUT BUREAU CHIEF 1939-2017 Schneidau, a native of New Caanan, Connecticut, died December 27, 2017, at the age of seventy-eight. A former stockbroker, she joined Newsradio88 in 1978, and for thirty-nine years reported on happenings in the Nutmeg State. Previously, she was with WICC in Bridgeport. Fran retired from WCBS in February 2017, which led Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy to proclaim February 3 as Fran Schneidau Day. After learning of her death, Malloy issued this statement: "For nearly forty years, Fran's voice was heard delivering news from the State of Connecticut to millions of radio listeners throughout the greater New York City metropolitan area, and she did it with class, reputability, and her own trusted style. She dedicated her profession to journalism, and was respected by so many Ð including numerous young and upcoming reporters who consistently cite her as an inspiration. We will miss Fran, and we extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends, and colleagues at WCBS."

LOU ADLER, MAJOR WCBS FIGURE, DIES Adler, eighty-eight, who lived in Wallingford, Connecticut, entered a nursing home in Meriden, Connecticut, two years ago for the treatment of Alzheimer's, and died on Dec. 22, 2017. Born in upstate Jamestown, New York, on April 18, 1929, Adler was a graduate of SUNY, Fredonia. He llater earned a masters from Purdue. Not to be confused with the record producer and talent manager of the same name, Lou Adler joined WCBS in 1959 as a reporter before moving to WCBS-TV. He returned to Newsradio88 in 1967 as morning anchor and reporter when the station went all-news under General Manager Joseph Dembo. In 1970 he received the Howard Blakeslee Award for his radio series "Report on Medicine." In 1971, he was named by General Manager Neil Derrough as the station's news director, replacing Marvin Friedman. Despite his supervisory duties, Adler continued his morning drive anchor slot, paired with Jim Donnelly. Under Derrough, Adler was responsible for scaling down the news department, staffed by more than 100 newsroom employees, into a tighter, more efficient operation. At the time, Adler told The New York Times that his assignment was to turn a good station into an interesting one, and that its pacing and sound was comparable to a newspaper's front-page layout. Adler (l) with Jim Donnelly in their heyday, ca. 1972 He left the station to become news director and anchor at WOR Radio in 1981 at a reported salary of $350,000 a year. In 1985 he was elected president of the Radio-Television News Directors Association. Following his stint at WOR, where he had a contentious relationship with WOR's Station Manager Rick Devlin, Adler was named a professor of broadcast journalism at Quinnipiac University and director of Quinnipiac's Ed McMahon Mass Communication Center. At the age of seventy he earned a law degree from Quinnipiac. He was also owner of 250-watt WKFD-AM in Wickford, Rhode Island, which went off the air in 2001. He leaves a wife, Thalia, and a daughter, Valerie, who says no funeral is planned, but at some point there will be a celebration of his life. An interesting sidenote is that Lou Adler was an uncle, by marriage, of Deborah Rodriguez, long-time anchor at WCBS, and now morning anchor of CBS News Radio. Lou's brother David married the sister of Deborah's father. ____________________________ A special tribute to Lou Adler by veteran broadcaster Gil Gross here MORE TRIBUTES TO LOU ADLER here ____________________________ Adler named WCBS News Director in Variety, Oct. 27, 1971. read This aircheck of Adler/Donnelly from Nov. 1, 1978. listen

- DICK HELTON, 7/25/17. KNX, Los Angeles. Just wanted to say how much I appreciate your website keeping track of the WCBS tradition. I check in occasionally, but perhaps not often enough. I've been around long enough (first day reporting at WBBM was February 10, 1969 under the guidance of Van Gordon Sauter) so I know, or have known of, many of the people on which you have reported over the years. Good memories of good times from the early days of all news to the present. Thanks again for your work.
Dick Helton
Morning Show Host and Senior Political Correspondent
KNX-CBS Radio, 1070 AM

FORMER WCBS REPORTER WALT WHEELER DIES photo by Rita Sands Funeral services for former WCBS News Reporter Walt Wheeler, were held on December Dec. 9, 2017, in Castleton, New York, near Albany. Walt, who died on December 2, 2017, was educated at Wesleyan and Michigan State universities, and spent a decade with Newsradio88 as a general assignment and political reporter. Previously, he worked at NBC News, and radio stations in Manchester, Meriden, and New Haven, Connecticut. After leaving WCBS, Walt helped to launch the Empire State Network, which served radio stations across the state. He was 77. A full obituary can be read HERE Walt covering the Democratic state convention in Connecticut, July 1982, for WCBS. He was an early adopter of computers, and is seen here with his own Osborne, which was portable but just barely. SOME OF THE TRIBUTES TO WALT HERE

ROBERT VAUGHN Jim Donnelly (l) Robert Vaughn (r) Long-time WCBS anchor Robert Vaughn died of cancer Monday, September 11, 2017, at the age of 87 at the Hospice Center in Palm Harbor, Florida. For much of his career at Newsradio 88, Bob was paired with Jim Donnelly and Rita Sands. Rita Sands, Robert Vaughn Vaughn & Donnelly on the air Bob and reporter Fred Fishkin at the CBS Board meeting, Teaneck, May 21, 2016. ____________________________ WCBS Anchor Wayne Cabot, in one of his 50 stories commemorating the 50th anniversary of Newsradio 88, offers this remembrance of Robert Vaughn from the perspective of Vaughn's son Rob: LISTEN (runs 14:22) ____________________________ HAIL AND FAREWELL: TRIBUTE TO ROBERT VAUGHN by Bob Gibson In a competitive industry jammed with people and positions, Bob stood out. His good looks were a plus for his TV work but his mellifluous voice was a definite asset for radio and television. His career began in his native South Carolina working as a newsman at WSPA Radio in Spartanburg where he was also an announcer at WSPA-TV, playing "Captain RC" on a kid's quiz show, (sponsored by Royal Crown Cola), and giving away some nice prizes including bikes. But the time came in the late 50s that Robert wanted more and Florida caught his fancy. As Bob told me many years ago, he had an offer to go to Atlanta powerhouse WSB Radio where the management really wanted him, but that feeling was not mutual. Bob wound up going to work at WSUN, (perhaps the definitive call letters for Florida), in St. Petersburg.    read more HERE ____________________________ THOSE WERE THE DAYS Memoir of Early Newsradio88 by Robert Vaughn HERE

HARVEY HAUPTMAN Respected, retired anchor, sportscaster, and newswriter Harvey Hauptman died on August 2, 2017, at the age of 87. Harvey was one of the members of the inaugural staff of WCBS as it became an all-news operation in 1967. But his tenure began well before as a newswriter for the afternoon news broadcast "Up to the Minute," anchored by Kenneth Banghart. Harvey, an enthusiastic Rutgers booster, later became a sportscaster for the station, and then a news anchor. A touching funeral service was conducted at Anshe Emeth Memorial Temple in New Brunswick, New Jersey, which was lived streamed. The temple has archived the service, which can be viewed here: HERE Photo (above) of Harvey at the typewriter in the old WCBS newsroom on Madison Avenue in the early 1960s. Also seated is Ken Banghart, afternoon news anchor. Standing in the white shirt is another WCBS News staffer James L. Brooks, later film director and creator of the "Mary Tyler Moore Show." READ THE MANY TRIBUTES TO HARVEY HERE Harvey's memories about his early days at WCBS can be read HERE

MARY ELLEN PORRAZZO Long-time newswriter, editor, and producer, Mary Ellen Porrazzo, after leaving WCBS, taught journalism at Hofstra University on Long Island. She died on February 10, 2017. A graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern, she was 65. Mary Ellen was also a poet. Here are two of her poems: Chaos, confusion Self-importance Delusion Blaring bands Frozen smiles In the heat Mary Ellen's obituary can be found HERE

Long-time WCBS Connecticut stringer Fran Schneidau retires
click to enlarge

MARTY DUSKIN Marty, beloved long-time WCBS news producer, died in New Jersey on Monday, Nov. 7, 2016. He rose from the ranks of the newspaper business to work afternoon drive for many years. This undated photo shows Marty at the producer's desk in the pre-computer era, as evidenced by the so-called "Christmas Tree" on the right, which held wire copy of the currently working stories. AN APPRECIATION by Bob Gibson plus Other Tributes HERE Obituary in The Asbury Park Press

New York Press Club Hall of Famer: IRENE CORNELL Irene, Steve From Steve Scott, WCBS: As president of the New York Press Club, I had the honor of inducting my WCBS Newsradio 880 colleague, Irene Cornell, into the New York Journalism Hall of Fame. It happened October 29, 2016, at the New York Press Club Foundation Conference on Journalism at New York University. Irene has covered many of the biggest court trials of the past 50+ years...from OJ to Gotti [New York mob figure]. She told of how a Gotti goon once tried to intimidate her because "Mr. Gotti doesn't like what you're reporting." Irene never backed down, and got a "wink" from Gotti at the conclusion of his final trial. With courtroom audio and video recording prohibited for much of her career, Irene has relied on only her words to tell her stories. Through her unparalleled writing and delivery, Irene has given New Yorkers a front row seat to more than a half century of riveting trials. Irene Cornell is a New York treasure. I also had the pleasure of presenting the New York Press Club's President's Award (posthumously) to our late Consulting Director, Peter O.E. Bekker [formerly of WCBS]. Peter's family has started the Peter O.E. Bekker Memorial Scholarship Fund through the New York Press Club Foundation. These scholarships will assist the next generation of journalists, for whom Peter cared so deeply.

WCBS VETERANS GATHER AT KEEN'S CHOP HOUSE

From right to left: Bob Gibson, Mervin Block, Melissa Ludlum [widow of former News Director Mike Ludlum], Jerry Levin [former PM drive producer], Sis Levin. Oct. 17, 2016, New York City.


- PHIL SIRKIN, 8/23/16. Former News Director, WEEI, Boston. A memory popped into my head earlier this evening and made me think: "I wonder if Dick Spencer is still at 88, or if he's retired by now?" I did an online search, came across your site, and was devastated to learn of his illness and passing a few years ago.

Dick and I were colleagues at the old WEEI in Boston during the '70s. I can still remember how thrilled he was when he learned he'd been hired at WCBS - even though he was never the type to jump for joy, his excitement and pride was clear. He was still young, of course, but it was his life's dream to work at Newsradio 88. I remember his outstanding writing and editing skills, naturally, as well as his professionalism. There was no one else I would want writing or on the desk during a crisis. But what I remember more was his wry and subversive sense of humor. After one of the station's nattily-dressed salesmen strutted through the newsroom with an air of disdain, Dick would switch into self-assured mode and confidently stride across the room with a fake smile and firmly shake my hand: "Hi, Dick Spencer, Sales."

One night, he came to visit me at another station where I worked part-time as a producer (we made far below union scale at 'EEI and many of us had second and third jobs). The other station was #1 in the market, and its offices and studios had the fancy decor, equipment and accoutrements to match its ratings. The following morning when I showed up at the grey, shabby, rundown 'EEI newsroom to relieve him on the desk, he had taped hand-drawn pictures of plants and artwork above the folders and cart racks. His answer to my unspoken question: "I just wanted you to feel at home."

It sounds like he had a full and satisfying life before his accident and illness. I'm sorry we fell out of touch and I'm still shaken to learn of his passing, but I'm glad to know he spent almost his whole career where he wanted to be his entire life: working mornings at 88. (I had already heard about Mike Ludlum's passing and was saddened by it; he was my first news director and I remember him fondly. I appreciated being able to read the remembrances others had posted.) Thanks so much for providing your site as a resource and forum - even those of us who spent our careers 250 miles to the north remember many of the great people from WCBS.

Phil Sirkin
Writer/Editor, WEEI, 1974-1979
News Director, WEEI, 1989-1991

PS I saw a reference to the fact that Peggy Noonan mentioned Dick's work at 'EEI in her first book. When I read the book many years ago, I remember thinking how wonderful it was that she specifically included him; he deserved it. I wasn't overly surprised, though, since a lot of bonds were formed during those years - and everyone loved Dick. (And Peggy remembers those bonds. I ran into her at a WH correspondent's dinner while she was still working with Rather, many years after we'd last seen each other. She ran up to me, gave me a huge hug and dragged me into the CBS reception, introducing me as "a CBSer" even though I'd been at the competition for years.)

- ALEXANDRA BENNETT CANNADY, 7/11/16. Former WCBS staffer. I was a kid working at WCBS-AM in the late '80s and reading about the passing of Mike Ludlum left a knot in my throat. I vividly recall a conversation with him... (cue flashback sequence) :

Mike: Alexandra, you're never going to make it in this business.
Me: Bu, but Mike why? (I was devastated.)
Mike: You don't smoke and you don't drink coffee. Two things you need to do to survive in this line of work.

I was just a kid, a sales/research assistant and Mike was always there with words of wisdom, and to give me an opportunity to gain experience in production when one arose. I raise a toast to him. As well as Agnes Green and James McQuade. And seeing the photos of Art Athens and GiGi Birdas and Rona Landy -- WOW. Thank you for this site. Best, Alexandra

PETER O. E. BEKKER photo of Peter Bekker by Rita Sands Rich Lamb [WCBS Reporter] asked me to let you know that our friend and colleague, Peter O. E. Bekker [WCBS writer-producer], died after a long battle with brain cancer. We will miss Peter's sharp wit -- remember his feature, "On Record?" -- and his refusal to suffer fools gladly. I'm told there will be a notice in the Times. He was 62. In recent years Peter had been the consulting director of the New York Press Club, putting us on the web, maintaining our site, and managing our very successful awards competition. Press Club president, Steve Scott, wrote an excellent tribute on the NYPC page. --Jane Tillman Irving A TRIBUTE by Rich Lamb Just after sunset on Lake Champlain, on an outdoor wooden deck in Vermont, surrounded by family and friends, Peter Otto Eric Bekker, Jr., aged 62, died peacefully at 8:50 PM on Friday, August 5, 2016, the culmination of a valiant three and a half year battle with brain cancer. Mr. Bekker was a central figure in the New York Press Club, where he held the title of Consulting Director. He was renowned for his innovations on the club's web site, including his digitalization of what had been a cumbersome method for the entry and judging of its journalism awards. Mr. Bekker's system worked to the great advantage of the Press Club, and was the object of imitation by other august organizations which honor journalistic achievements. Mr. Bekker was an articulate defender of the first amendment, an author, a news writer and an editor whose sentences, both spoken and written, were justly famous for their clarity and ascerbic wit. Mr. Bekker wrote endless reams of newscopy for WCBS Newsradio 880 in New York City from 1975 to 1989. He also broadcast a feature of contemporary music criticism on WCBS titled Peter Bekker, On Record. He was the author of four books about music, on topics ranging from Gospel, to Jazz, to Country and the Baroque Period. Between his work as a writer and broadcaster at WCBS, and his tenure at the New York Press Club, he worked on an encyclopedia project at the Microsoft Corporation in Washington State.

_________________________

RETIRED WCBS ANCHOR BILL FAHAN DEAD An Appreciation by Bob Gibson Bill Fahan was the kind of man who never had a problem making himself heard. At least not in the nearly twenty years we knew one another at New York's WCBS NewsRadio88. As anchors at the all-news station we reported our share of tragic and happy stories and yet the former always seem to outweigh everything else. Bill, who was much loved and respected by his family away from home, sadly passed away early Thursday morning, June 23, at his Pearl River, New York, residence at 82. Bill's daughter, Robin, told me that her dad had been in failing health for several months and really deteriorated last week. Without offering any specifics, Robin goes on to say that "we are thankful that this did not drag on and on and that her father is finally without pain and at peace." More than one of my friends and Bill's former colleagues have accurately described him as a nice man and a talented man. He knew his craft and when and how to ask the pertinent and difficult questions in the midst of breaking stories when many of us didn't know what would happen next. Bill was also a fun-loving guy with a gift for gab who for quite some time attended our twice-a-year broadcasters' luncheons in New Jersey with his lovely wife, Joyce. Many of us had not seen him in a few years because as I was told by his wife, his arthritic knees made it very difficult to walk. I had paid the Fahans a visit now and then when I'd be in the metropolitan area and did so again last year when the above photo was snapped. For those who are wondering and per Bill's wishes, there will be no funeral nor memorial service as he wanted his ashes scattered over some body of water. The water, incidentally, was a second passion because of his love for his boat which he kept docked not far from his Rockland County home. I never sailed with Bill but good friend Don Swaim, another WCBS alum, had, and reminded me that despite his affinity for getting out on the water, Bill could not swim. But as I understand it, he never shrank from the task to spend a nice day in a nice way with family and his friends on the Hudson. As friendly and out-going as they come, Bill had a colorful 27-year career at WCBS following TV and radio assignments in middle America, including at KMSP Television, Channel 9 in Minneapolis, where he was the lead news anchor. Bill's was a smooth and rich, bass voice that commanded attention. A former colleague at CBS, Michael Kahn, many years ago in commenting for a New York Daily News story about his favorite radio station while growing up, listed a number of the then-anchors at WCBS in the 1970s and made it a point to say "That whenever the end of the world comes, he wants to hear it reported by Bill Fahan!" Indeed, he had that kind of authoritative voice. Heartfelt condolences to Bill's beloved wife, Joyce, his daughter, Robin, son, Terry, and the other Fahans whom I've unintentionally overlooked!

- BOB KETCHERSID, 4/4/16. Former WCBS desk assistant.

I just happened to stumble across your fascinating WCBS Web page this afternoon. It brought back many memories. I was one of three Ohio State University students who took part in the first CBS Graduate Assistantship program in 1965. As part of the program, I spent six months working as a desk assistant at WCBS Radio in 1965. I worked alongside such folks as Steve Flanders, Lou Adler, Joe Dembo, and many others. I noticed that Harvey Hauptman had written about Pat Summerall. That brings back some memories. In 1965, Pat did a sports call-in show on WCBS. One of my assignments was to be his call screener. In those days, the seven second delay was obtained by threading the tape from one Ampex machine which recorded the audio and looping the tape over to a second Ampex for the playback.

I also had the opportunity to accompany Steve Flanders on many of his news assignments, including riding in a ticker tape parade for returning astronauts and opening day of year number two of the New York World's Fair. One of the best things Steve taught me was on those assignments that involved waiting, he said "find a telephone you can use" and find a seat so you can sit down. I went on to become news director at WSB Radio in Atlanta, and now own my own station in Athens, Tennessee.

- HOWARD LULOFF, 1/10/16. WCBS listener. I grew up in New Jersey in the 60s and early 70s before moving to Minnesota in 1972, and I remember hearing the station riding in the car with my parents. One phrase that comes to mind is "Here's The Weather Picture for New York City and vicinity." How long did the station use that phrase? The Weather Picture comes up in conversation when checking the weather on my phone for my girlfriend. You really put together a historical flashback to the early days and highlights of WCBS-AM. Thanks, Howard Luloff

- JIM B. MORRIS, 1/9/16. Former WCBS newswriter.

I just visited the WCBS appreciation site after a long absence. There were several deaths I did not know about, Allegra Branson among them. At work, we joked about sharing the same birthday (January 2), but I lost touch with Allegra a long time ago. All I knew, from your site, was that she was ill. I was unaware that she passed away in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania. Ironically, that's not far from where I lived and worked before joining News 88 in late 1975.

In the late 70's, Allegra took me to the Metropolitan Opera and got us backstage where I met singer James Morris (yes, same name), who was performing the lead in Don Giovianni. Meeting a famous person with "my" name was a kick. Allegra made it happen. By the way, just below the post about Allegra is a picture that says "circa" 1980. It is indeed that year. I still have that t-shirt (somewhere). I'm in the back row, on the right, my face partially obscured by M. David Levin's curly locks.

Your site is fantastic ‹ lost memories found. Best wishes from Atlanta (where I've been since 1990). Jim B. Morris

- STEVEN ELIAS, 12/14/15. Long-time WCBS listener.

I remember listening to Newsradio 88 on car trips to NY with my dad in the 70s and 80s. I remember listening to anchors like Bill Fahan, Pat Parson and Ben Farnsworth doing drive time. Did Craig Allen do weather back in the day? I grew up and live in Rhode Island where WCBS comes in very well. I also remember news reporters, Doug Spiro, Irene Cornell, and Fran Schneidau. I enjoyed the old classic WCBS news and traffic sounders from back in the day.

> I also remember the CBS all news radio stations in other major cities, using the the same sounder going into their headlines. One such outlet, WEEI Newsradio 59 in Boston did so in the 70s and 80s.

There was also another sounder that was used somewhere in the bottom of the hour (15 and 45) after local weather was given. It was a sequence of musical tones that was a computerized variation off of the headline sounder. I remember this tone being used in the mid 80s. I also remember going into a discount store in the late 80s, and hearing this same musical tone being used on the public address system in the store, as a lead-in to alert shoppers in the store to items that were on sale. At this point, not on the radio, but as the store's  in house recorded ads.

Do you have any air checks of other sounders or commercials that you can post? I really enjoy your tribute site to WCBS . I guess I'm a real WCBS buff from the 70s and 80s. Steve Elias

FORMER WCBS NEWS DIRECTOR MIKE LUDLUM 1937-2015 Mike, who was 78, died November 29, 2015, in New Jersey after a three-year illness that led to hospice care. More in this remembrance by BOB GIBSON and many others: HERE From DON SWAIM: Mike was a consummate professional I was proud to call a friend. He never yelled, as some of our executives were inclined to do, worked well under pressure, was admired by the staff, and upheld the highest standards of integrity and ethics. Mike slightly preceded me at WCBS as the station launched its mammoth all-news operation: he was then morning-drive news producer and I was morning-drive news editor. From ROBERT LEEDER: Mike Ludlum's death was sad, sad news. Mike and I went back more than 50 years together, and I always held him in high esteem. He was an extremely creative writer, a talented all around newsman, and an absolute pleasure to work with. Mike and I were dual anchors on an all news morning show called "Nothing But News" back in the early sixties, before WINS went all news. We often traveled together. Aboard a NJ Air National Guard flight to Texas, for example, we covered a troop deployment story. At each NAB convention in Las Vegas, Mike and I always set aside time for a lunch, and we used to laugh about how our offices were one floor apart in Black Rock and we never had time in New York; rather, we would have to travel more than 2500 miles to have lunch! I will always value the time Mike and I worked together. He was an uncommonly gifted broadcaster and a wonderful friend,

THREE WCBS VETERANS...

...gather for luncheon, Neptune, NJ, Oct. 22, 2015. Former Shadow Traffic reporter Ed Salvas,
retired producer Marty Duskin, ex-anchor Bob Gibson

THE FAHANS

Former WCBS anchor Bill Fahan, seated. Standing: retired anchor Bob Gibson,
Joyce Fahan. Pearl River, New York, May 17, 2015. NOTE: Bill died on June 23, 2016.
(photo courtesy Bob Gibson)

BUSINESS REPORTER KEN PREWITT DEAD Prewitt, who was 68, died of cancer at his home in Manhattan on April 11, 2015. Before moving to Bloomberg Radio, Prewitt was the voice of business at Newsradio 88. He and Ray Hoffman, a current business reporter at WCBS, were colleagues at WERE in Cleveland before emigrating to New York. Obituary at Bloomberg News Bob Moon of Bloomberg anchors this audio Ray Hoffman has this tribute

Agnes Green, former chief desk assistant and newsroom coordinator at WCBS,
was a mainstay of the news operation for many years. And a good friend. --DS

FORMER WCBS REPORTER LOU MILIANO DEAD Miliano, who was 67, died of cancer at a hospice on January 12, 2015, in Florida, according to a posting on the CBS News Radio website. Lou's career at CBS began in 1989 until his retirement in 2007 "I worked with Lou for many years, and the great thing about him as a newsman was his attention to ambient sound. He never did what we once called "stand-upers" without background audio, demonstrating, in the Edward R. Murrow tradition, an attention to the immediacy of time and place. In a business filled with prima donnas and egos, he was both independent and a nice guy." --Don Swaim IN MEMORIAM by MICHAEL KAHN sensational tribute by a long-time friend HERE with ex-WCBS staffer Michael Kahn "Lou really did it all, and he surely did it his way. He was unique." --WCBS 880 reporter Rich Lamb "He was fearless, creative and smart! It took me years to figure out that his hair was not his own! If there is nat sound in heaven - Lou will find it!" --Bernard Gershon, former WCBS assistant news director "So incredibly talented. He changed the way a foreign correspondent sounded on the radio, and a generation followed." --Jeff Caplan, former WCBS anchor "Lou was a gentleman through and through. He was amazing in his use of sound." --Roslyn Barreaux Brendzel, former WCBS newswriter Lisa Fantino, ex-WCBS staffer, offers this excellent REMEMBRANCE Windswept correspondent "He painted great word pictures and was one of the best at using audio and natural sound to bring listeners to the scene of breaking news." --Tim Scheld, WCBS 880 news director Lou and Tim Scheld covering the 1995 funeral of Yitzhak Rabin in Jerusalem

- BOB VOSBURGH, 2/24/15. Former part-time anchor. Mr. Book Beat! Hey Don! Wonderful to see some of the old gang! In a fit of occupational nostalgia, I was perusing Google and stumbled across this site. I wish I had known about it earlier, as I lived for 15 years in Fort Lee (not far from the "executive dining room" in Teaneck). I am happy to report (for anyone who remembers me) that I am alive and well, working as News Director at the Private Label Manufacturers Association here in Manhattan (LinkedIn profile). I commute four days a week from my home in Milford, CT. After my less-than-glamorous departure from Newsradio 88, I joined a small foodservice publication in Hackensack, NJ, then moved on to a national B2B trade pub, Supermarket News (at that time owned by Fairchild Publications of Women's Wear Daily fame), then left after 15 years there to assume my present position. Indeed, a far cry from covering state budgets, trials and fires, but no complaints. I eat well :). That's about it. I am glad to see you look great and am active with the others. Please tell Dave Levin, Bob Gibson, Marty Duskin (who I called "Skipper") and that pesky nighttime caller Lou Freizer (kidding) that I said hello! Perhaps one day I can sneak back out to Teaneck and join the Board. Regards &c., Bob

TODD GLICKMAN: 35 YEARS ON THE AIR AT WCBS Veteran meteorologist Todd Glickman launched his career at Newsradio88 on May 5, 1979, at 6:06 AM, and has been going strong ever since. Todd writes: "I did my first weathercast on WCBS 880, with Gary Maurer as the anchor. That was a lot of "8s" ago! Thanks to then News Director Lou Adler and GM Robert Hyland III who gave me the chance; and to my friend and colleague Craig Allen for letting me sit in the Weather Center "Big Chair" from time-to-time for over three decades." Here's Todd's first Newsradio88 office, the WCBS Weather Center at Black Rock: click to enlarge Todd's anniversary was celebrated on the air by Chief Meterologist Craig Allen and anchors Steve Scott and Brigitte Quinn: LISTEN Retired anchor Bob Gibson says: "I'd be remiss if I failed to take this opportunity to say that while I was unaware until now, I'm not surprised that Todd was offered the position of Chief Meteorologist only because over the years, regardless of what Mother Nature tossed at the metropolitan area, he has always been able to explain it in an easy to understand manner. At the same time, the station has been in the excellent hands of Craig Allen, and his three-decades-plus tenure is testament to that!" at the portable WCBS Weather Center, New York Marathon AND WHILE WE'RE AT IT....VISIT: Glickman THE GLICKMAN FILE Compendium of Newsradio 88 memorabilia -- even junk -- along with photos, including the WCBS traffic 'copter, dating to the 1980s. Collected by long-time meterologist Todd Glickman. See all HERE

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