Richard Hake, a public radio host and reporter for nearly three decades who liked to say that his morning updates “woke up New York,” has died.
Hake’s station, WNYC, said the 51-year-old anchor died Friday at his Manhattan apartment, where he’d been working in recent weeks as the coronavirus crisis kept station personnel from their office.
Goli Sheikholeslami, the president and CEO of New York Public Radio, announced Hake’s death in a memo to staff on Saturday. She said a tribute is being planned. Hake’s family said he died of natural causes.
“Richard worked at WNYC for nearly 30 years as a host, reporter, and producer,” Sheikholeslami wrote. “He was an extraordinary broadcaster and journalist who had a passion for excellence and who took great pride in serving our audience. We will remember him very warmly.”
