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WFLA Newsman Don Richards passed away

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sbe1

WFLA is reporting that Don Richards has passed away from Cancer. I remember the interview he did with Hank Earl Carr. Riveting Radio. RIP my friend
 
My condolences to Don's family and the WFLA family. Don was a very hard worker and I can't even recall if he ever took a day off. In a day and age of piping in FOX news updates for less local coverage, Don will be missed.
 
If I tried to put into words what Don did for me and my career, I'd run out of room. It's a sad day for me and it's radio's loss. :'(
 
I had spoken to Don via telephone a few weeks ago. He was the ever-chipper, happy-go-lucky Don I have always known him to be. He was happy to know that his grandchild was on the way.

Don was always sure to give me advce on my career and my life. He gave me one last piece of it that day: "Don't ever put anything off. But don't ever second-guess your choices either."

I'll miss him.
 
Wow. I was just visiting St. Petersburg a couple of weeks ago on the anniversary of the Hank Earl Carr massacre and was telling my girlfriend about watching, then LISTENING to that incident unfold as it happened. It started on television, then as I was driving across the Bayside Bridge in Clearwater on my way to my evening shift at Warm 94.9, I had tuned into 970 WFLA where Don Richards had continuing coverage of this incredible story that had the entire Bay Area talking, shocked, and saddened. I will never forget hearing Don INTERRUPT a commercial to break-in with Carr on the phone, LIVE from the Shell station up in Hernando County. Richards' interviewing and journalism skills were top shelf that afternoon, and although the decision he and Trecasse made to call the Shell station and get Carr on the air was controversial, it was incredible radio. Peace Don Richards.
 
Don was a true radio professional which is becoming rare these days. Very sad news. My condolences to his family and co-workers.
 
Don was and will forever be on of the great voices of Tampa Bay and a great human. I believe those of us who worked with Don and knew Don have become not only better broadcasters but better humans too.

Rest in peace my friend.
 
Don was the rarest form of broadcaster in that he did what he did because he passionately loved radio. His passion was evident in his chops as a reporter and newscaster, and in his incredible, enviable work ethic.

Don will be missed by many who knew him, and an equal number who didn't.
 
Man I remember when I started my radio career running WFLA overnights and Don filled in news overnights for a while. We always had a good time overnights and he was always fun to talk to and was very knowledgeable. You will be missed Don.

-Lunchbox
 
I'd never been happier to get an all-night news anchor job than I was when I really needed it one bad summer a few years ago. Don and I had known each other from a friendly distance for more than 20 years with nothing in common but the society of radio news. But I was in a fix and there he was, no questions asked.

There was a payroll mix-up while I was there (one of those corporate bureaucracy things, nobody's fault) and I didn't get paid for months. Don harangued everybody in the office then finally gave up and tried to pay me himself. FLA came through a day or so after that...I would have had to take him up on it, otherwise. He had already written a check, though.

Don was a great radio newsman and an unusually good guy.

Rick S
 
Some of the non-Hank Carr highlights of Don Richards' local career (which actually began in 1981 with WPLP):

1985 -- anchors round-the-clock coverage of Hurricane Elena until flooding forced WPLP off the air -- then returned as soon as the water went down

1987 -- anchored extensive coverage of the Pinellas Park High School shootings, one of the first of the wave of campus massacres

1991 -- many long nights of Gulf War coverage on WFLA

2001 -- anchoring live on-air local inserts during 9-11 coverage

2005 -- reported live on WFLA from the Pinellas Park hospice as word was announced that Terri Schiavo had died
 
As a long-time 970 WFLA listener, I am saddened by the passing of Don Richards. For me, Don was THE voice of the news on 970...he will be greatly missed. I send my heartfelt condolences to his family.
 
Ledge. You said it. He made that unique connection that is void in today's radio.
Don was a total pro who will be sorely missed.

-Medlin
 
Wow....Just reading this now....This is a total shock.

I was friends with his two daughters (they went to college with me at UF, and took classes with my then-girlfriend, they were sociology majors and here I was, a radio guy running into another radio guy by coincidence). I remember he used to take the red WFLA pickup sometimes to the games in Gainesville on Saturdays.

He was one of those people you could talk to about radio forever and he'd never tire of it. And yes, someone who liked what he did indeed. Rest in peace.
 
Sad news. Seems that's all we hear anymore. As a member of this industry it's uncomfortable to start seeing so many of your contemporaries leaving the room. As a member of the human race it's just sad. It underscores our own mortality. Live as joyously as possible, and savor the minutes that make up "now"

Don Richards was one of radios finest.
 
Don Richards was, is, my father in law, and I have been honored to be a part of his family. He got to see pictures of his new granddaughter before he passed away, thankfully. I loved hearing his voice on the radio; he was always working, it seemed, and I know he loved his job. He was even doing news stories in his sleep in the last days.
We love him, and he will be missed. A consumate professional in every way, even to the end.
 
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