BERNIE SMITH DIES AT 67

[kenhawk1160]

The Indiana Gazette and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette are reporting the death of Bernie Smith:

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_469090.html

Bernie was an icon in Indiana County radio and politics for more than 4 decades. He will be sadly missed.

 

[lash]

Bernie was a great guy and a joy to work with and be around. I certainly enjoyed covering commissioner meetings with Bernie in charge.

 

[kenhawk1160]

I certainly enjoyed covering commissioner meetings with Bernie in charge.

Bernie certainly understood the importance of the media when it came to getting the word out about noteworthy happenings. When I first came to Indiana County in the late 80's, Bernie was out and about with either his tape recorder or the station's Marti unit in the vehicle. Where there was news, there was Bernie. He raised the bar for what a local radio station's news department should be...even in the days before the techonology we have today existed. Bernie, we'll miss you, friend.

 

[Mac The Knife]

Just so happens I was talking with someone at Bernie's old stations when word reached them that he had passed. Unbelievably sad.

 

[johnknapik]

I worked with Bernie at WDAD years ago...he really was a nice guy. My sympathy goes out to his family and friends.

 

[kenhawk1160]

I worked with Bernie at WDAD years ago...he really was a nice guy. My sympathy goes out to his family and friends.

I think you and I were there at around the same time, John. I went to the viewing today. It was EXTREMELY hard to look in that casket and see someone so full of life and vigor just be the total opposite. It was tough.

Mac the Knife...who did you talk to at the old stations? I worked for the Indiana stations for about 7 years.