Dick Kernen of Specs Howard/WRIF Passes...

[Trophyhead]

Seeing the social media posts in this regard, I was not a Specs graduate but see real grief from many who got their antennae tuned and succeeded, thanks to Kernen's effort and influence.

Through these messages of tribute, I learned of his efforts to take WXYZ-FM and make it into the 'RIF, long ago.

Good passage, Dick. A guy nice to anyone who was behind a mic or camera, regardless of whether they came from his school, or not.

[Herm]

He was influential in my career and the career of many others in this industry. He always had time for grads and anyone else who might need a bit of advice or a pep talk. The effect he had on this market will not soon be forgotten. RIP Mr. Kernen.

[Mega Hertz]

Good ol' Uncle Kernen. With his "scooty wooties" and "get your poop in a group". Great guy. Called me the "local hero" because I was the first in my class to get an internship. Him and Tom Profit taught me more about being a smart ass than anything. The ORIGINAL WRIF PD. Everybody, and I mean EVERYBODY knew Dick Kernen. And he was still in tune with radio.

[aaugusti]

Man this is sad. I loved Kernan. When I started at Specs I had asked the advice of Larry Patton what to expect. He gave me some advice and then said “Tell Dick Kernan I said hello.” When I brought up to Dick that I knew Larry he stopped and said “there are a lot of people who claim they got screwed in our business, and Larry is one of the only ones that really did get screwed.” The best advice Dick ever gave me (and someone else on this board did the same) was that I was too talented for radio. It took me about 18 months but my calling took me back to finance. When I went back and visited Specs and sat down with Dick he told me that he was proud of me. That was the moment I appreciated him the most. He took someone who went off track and steered me back to the right direction, and never blew smoke up my ass. The world lost a good one.

[SolidGoldDancers]

Man this is sad. I loved Kernan. When I started at Specs I had asked the advice of Larry Patton what to expect. He gave me some advice and then said “Tell Dick Kernan I said hello.” When I brought up to Dick that I knew Larry he stopped and said “there are a lot of people who claim they got screwed in our business, and Larry is one of the only ones that really did get screwed.” The best advice Dick ever gave me (and someone else on this board did the same) was that I was too talented for radio. It took me about 18 months but my calling took me back to finance. When I went back and visited Specs and sat down with Dick he told me that he was proud of me. That was the moment I appreciated him the most. He took someone who went off track and steered me back to the right direction, and never blew smoke up my ass. The world lost a good one.

He did a Sunday morning show at one or two places I worked, or at least a place or two I might have been filling in for technical help. We'd have some great conversations and always seemed to be a caring good human being, with a streak of candor and honesty not usually found in radio circles.