In Memoriam: Bob Morrison & Dick Wheeler

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The DFW media market lost two veteran newsmen within the last two weeks, both of whom I listened to as a kid growing up in Dallas in the 60's.

Bob Morrison passed away on Sunday, June 21, 2015. At the time of his passing, he was the news director for Leading Edge Radio Network, an online network. But he was best known for his work as a reporter and news director for 103.7 KVIL-FM during the Ron Chapman era when the station dominated Dallas radio for over three decades. Bob also was with KCBI 90.9 FM, KLTY-FM, WFAA Radio, and CBS Radio's KRLD 1080. He began his career in 1967 at 50,000 watt Top 40 KLIF 1190 during the Gordon McLendon days, the "Mighty 1190". His career spanned nearly 50 years.

Bob and I served together on the Dallas Press Club Board of Directors. He was the most honest, fair, gentle and nicest man you ever met. A gentle giant that I was blessed to have known. Even in times of trouble, he never lost his cool. And he was not shy to tell you of his Christian beliefs either.

Dick Wheeler, a smooth, deep voiced newsman best known for his coverage of the JFK assassination for KRLD Radio & Television in 1963, passed away on Wednesday, July 1, 2015. Dick started his radio career in East Texas before coming to the DFW area. In 1953, he joined WFAA Radio doing news and on Saturdays hosted Shindig Preview from the Fair Park Band Shell. The next year he moved to WFAA Channel 8 to do news with Jerry Haynes ("Mr. Peppermint") and Warren Culbertson (who later moved to KRLD-TV, now KDFW-TV). He left the market for a short period of time to work in Stockton CA, San Antonio, and Tulsa. In November 1963, Eddie Barker, the News Director for KRLD Radio and Television, hired Dick as a reporter. 11 days later, President Kennedy was assassinated and Wheeler and Barker were at the Dallas Trade Mart waiting for the President to arrive. Wheeler was also the man who hired legendary newsman Alex Burton known for the phrase, "I'm Alex Burton and the opinions are my own." Dick retired in 1990 and then spent the next 14 years living on his boat in Galveston, and sailed the Gulf Of Mexico for nine years.

I heard about Dick's passing from our colleagues at KRLD and I spoke to his son Steven. Dick would send me email at CBS11 commenting on our programming. He was very direct as to what he liked and didn't liked but at no time was he rude or unprofessional. Both he and Bob paved the way for guys like me to enjoy having a career in the media business.

Bob and Dick, thank you for all you did over the years for the listeners of Dallas/Fort Worth radio. God bless you both.

See you next time.

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