Idaho Radio News Etc.

The Idaho radio industry lost several of its brightest lights this year.

- Dar Dodds. One of the first on-air talent at KDSH/KBOI – Dar was a legend in the formative days of Boise radio. Beyond his many radio accomplishments – Dar was known for something else: being a civilian prisoner of war during WWII. Dar served for MK on Wake Island and was taken hostage by the Japaneses. Dodds was profiled on Fox News in 2005. Dodds was 89.

- Lou Burden. Burden was a major part of Mountain Home life – including the local radio station and as owner of Flicks Unlimited. He was born in Nebraska and moved to Mountain Home in 1972 after his service in the Army. Burden was 67.

- Gordon Capps. Another small town pioneer, Capps founded KSRV-AM in Ontario in 1946, and eventually owned stations in Baker, LaGrande and Twin Falls. He was also the co-owner of the nation’s second-ever cable system in LaGrande and Baker. Capps was 95.

- Lee Schafer. One of the last local owners in the state, Schafer ran KBXL and KSPD in Boise and KDZY in McCall right up until his September death. His memorial service was a who’s who of Boise radio – and the outpouring of support on this site was unprecedented. Schafer was 62.

- Wayne Richards. The popular KLCE/Classy 97 host died in a snorkeling in September while vacationing in Hawai’i. Richards was a fixture in Eastern Idaho, and had been on the air for decades – and also hosted the popular “sounds of Sunday” program on the station. He was 54.