Longtime Radio Broadcaster Don LeBrecht Dies

Longtime radio broadcaster Roger D. LeBrecht, known to “Don” to his friends, died Feb. 22 at age 80. He spent more than four decades in broadcasting and retired 14 years ago to Lakewood Ranch, Fla.

Although he was born in Kansas City, Mo., his heart belonged to Texas where he was graduated from high school and attended college at Texas Western College in El Paso. He served with the U. S. Army from 1956 to1959, where he spent time in the Azores working with Armed Forces Radio and Television Services.  

His first job was at KHMS-FM El Paso, Texas. Then moved on to KNDX-FM Yakima, Wash.; KFRE-FM Fresno, Calif.; WSPA-FM Spartanburg, S.C.; and WBT-FM Charlotte, N.C. 

It was there that he met his future wife, Thelma; and they would have shared their 50th wedding anniversary this May. She was working at WBT/WBTV at the time, and continued with her own career in broadcast news for more than 35 years. 

He went on to hold various management posts at CHFI-FM Toronto; WPAT-AM-FM New York; WDVR Philadelphia and EZ Communications in Washington.

He later became executive director of the Broadcast Industry Council, from 1982 until his retirement in 1999, working with the National Association of Broadcasters on various projects to improve American productivity and literacy.

His wife Thelma, ended her own career after working for 23 years with the Associated Press Broadcast News Center in Washington. Don always used to boast that he provided “logistical support” to his wife’s career.

He is survived by his wife, Thelma; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Jessica and Alan Craig in Atlanta; and niece and nephew Sherry and Dan Cochran in Bradenton, Fla.