KLCE host dies in snorkeling accident
Don Day | September 22, 2008
KLCE/Classy 97 morning co-host Wayne Richards died yesterday. Richards was vacationing in Hawai’i with his family and participating in a snorkeling excursion outside of Oahu according to KPVI. The accident happened Saturday and medics performed CPR and transported him to a local hospital. He remained on life support until Sunday.
Richards is one of the best-known voices in Eastern Idaho, and has been on the air with KLCE for decades. He was 54.
“He will be greatly missed, not only by all of us here at Riverbend Communications, but by the many friends he has made over the years. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time,” a statement on KLCE.com reads.
Having known Wayne for nearly 10 years, this is truly sad and my family’s thoughts and prayers are with his family and the Riverbend Communications crew during this very difficult time. Wayne will most definitely be missed among the S.E. Idaho radio community.
~JT
Our thoughts go out to Theresa, Wayne’s kids and the KLCE family. We are all in shock right now. Wayne had a wonderful talent and was a wonderful guy. You can not count the hours he spent helping other people. The East Idaho airwaves will not be the same without Wayne’s voice on them. We will miss him.
I never worked with Wayne, but worked as his competition in the Idaho Falls market. I also spent time at KBLQ in Logan, where Wayne had worked prior to my arriving there. I will say that he was always esteemed as a gentleman. He could have made a million bucks with his voice, but he stayed in Eastern Idaho! That says it all as a real broadcaster.
He’s probably working for a higher power now- a gazillion watt flamethrower in the heavens! And every time you hear it thunder, yep, you know that Wayne is rumbling nature’s subwoofers.
What a tragedy to such a radio icon. I wish his family the best.
KLCE started with Jack Sunday, John Augney and I back in 1985. I left to San Francisco in ‘86 and Jack went to Fargo soon after that… I believe that Wayne toook over mornings when Jack left. I only met Wayne a couple of times on trips back to visit family in I.F. but I enjoyed listening to him when I did. My dad called me yesterday morning to tell me of his passing. Sincere condolences to his family and the staff at KLCE
Thoughts and prayers go out to Mr. Richards family and friends.
God bless.
Wayne’s Funeral service is scheduled for Saturday at 11:00 at the North Stake Center in Idaho Falls.
Viewing will be Friday evening 6 to 8:30
He was my friend. I will miss him.
Keith Walker
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and the family at the radio station. Wayne was loved in out family and we listened to him every morning. May the good Lord Bless each and everyone of you at your time of sorrow.
I worked with Wayne when I was on Z103 between September of ‘03 through April of ‘08. He was kind of the silent father figure in our building. Just him being there, whether it was in a promotions meeting or spending lunch with us at Rupes, he was always fun to be with – and SUPER smart when it comes to radio – obviously, he’s been in radio more than most people are in a relationship.
He’ll truely be missed.
I’ve always said that the greatest blessing of death is that friends and family come together when they otherwise might not. Some of my sweetest experiences have ranged from conducting funerals to reuniting with those I haven’t seen for many years… It is good to see the comment from my old friend and coworker Keith Walker (who I am sure will be surprised that I have “conducted” funerals…) Thank you Wayne.
Wayne was the epitomy of radio, a friend, and gentle soul. I am still in disbelief and will continue to be for years and years to come. We were supposed to play golf this fall. Wayne loved his golf and was very good at a sport that is hard to be good at…but that was Wayne!
In the words of Billy Joel…”Only the Good Die Young”
Wayne-
You will be missed. A true gentleman in every sense of the word. Our world is somehow a bit less grand without you here.
May God bless you.
fpj
Sad to hear of Wayne’s passing. he was great broadcaster with a fabulous voice!
The History of Idaho Broadcasting is doing a tribute to Wayne in our next newsletter, coming out soon. If you have a bio on where Wayne worked in Idaho, we’d like to include it. Please send any info to pawzup@qwest.net
Thanks -
Art Gregory
President History of Idaho Broadcasting Foundation
Wayne is gone too soon. I always admired his voice, his style and his gentleness. Good guy. Great talent. He WAS classy.
Jim Smith
RE: It is good to see the comment from my old friend and coworker Keith Walker (who I am sure will be surprised that I have “conducted” funerals
It doesn’t surprise me at all that you have conducted funerals.
You’re a Stud. Stop by KUPI when you’re in town to see your dad.
Walker
12/14/2010
A couple of years have passed and when Christmas parties roll around Wayne comes to mind. He was a wonderful, wonderful disc. jockey. He made the party so bright and full of Christmas cheer. We have missed him greatly and pray he is having a jolly good time in the here after. I know they are blessed to have him. Some people come and leave a mark on us and he was one of those special people. Thank you Wayne for all the years of making music come alive. And thank you family for sharing him. God Bless