DICK KERNEN 1938-2020
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In memory of Dick Kernen’s passing, we will feature a statement, here, from Specs Howard. December 18, 2020
SPECS HOWARD STATEMENT — DICK KERNEN’S PASSING
Dick Kernen was much more than a colleague. He became, over the years, a dear friend. The day I hired Dick Kernen, all those decades ago, I could not have possibly known what a difference he would make in my life, the lives of the staff and the lives of thousands of Specs Howard School students and graduates. His passion for the broadcasting world permeated his every encounter. He was loved well beyond the walls of the school. Broadcast industry leaders relied on Dick for his unique brand of advice, his encyclopedic knowledge of the business and his “oh-so-Kernen” way of looking at the world. He was one of a kind and will be missed forever. Our hearts go out to Dick’s wife Char and the entire Kernen family.
— Specs Howard
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(Posted by Holly Kraus on Fr., December 18, 2020. Specs Howard School of media Arts; official blog page)
REMEMBERING DICK KERNEN
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Fred Jacobs of Jacobs Media noted, “Joining the Specs Howard School of Broadcasting (as it was known at the time) was the wisest — and ONLY — career move Dick ever made. He really loved helping young people get into radio. And I know of no one who has personally started more radio careers in Michigan — and maybe all over the country.”
The RAMP RADIO and MUSIC PROS page remembers the broadcasting legacy of Dick Kernen. You can view their page, HERE.
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A FINAL WORD
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Dick Kernen.
He was one of a kind. Loved by his students, he was respected by his peers throughout the broadcasting medium, not only here, everywhere around the country.
With a desire to get into the radio trade at a young age, I was blessed in having him as my class instructor a long time ago. When I was just but a handful of students who attended the Specs Howard School of Broadcast Arts (as it was called then) in 1980-1981.
Sometime shortly after completion of my courses there, the phone rings. Dick Kernen was calling. My first stop, WJLB.
A tutor, a mentor, that he was. But Dick Kernen was more than that. For he single-handedly impacted the many lives in the profession he so loved, having served so well. For a phenomenal six decades of his life.
He was the gift that kept on giving.
Truly, a gift.
— Jim Feliciano
Specs Howard School of Broadcast Arts
Graduate; SHSBA semester 1980-1981
WJLB-WCAR-WMTG-WNIC
Dick Kernen had TRUE STYLE !!
He will be greatly missed 😢 😔.
WRIF Is gonna be different when the iconic rockradio station hits the big 5-0 next year, but it just won’t be the same without the man who launch 101 The Riff in the 1st place.
Riff In Peace Dick BABY!
It seemed fitting that I first heard the news on the radio. Our friend Dick Kernen, truly the kindest man in Detroit radio, is gone. My sincere condolences to the Kernen family. I first met Dick when I worked at WNIC and he was hosting “The Sunday Times”, even having me on as a mystery guest once. We both graduated from Edsel Ford in Dearborn and he was shocked that I found his H.S. picture. Over the last few years I recorded some great stories he shared with me about the early days of WXYZ FM for a documentary project. He let me know that he didn’t discover Art Penhallow, he simply hired him at the suggestion of his (only) co-worker. He told me about the day an irate WXYZ DJ pulled a knife on him in his office. It wasn’t always fun and games. Dick was always available to chat. His exuberance was pleasantly evident when I would remind him of someone he hadn’t thought of for years, to the extent he wanted their contact information so he could reconnect. He loved his family, lived his life on his own terms and loved talking ‘radio’. Dick was a modest, charming people-person who helped more folks with their careers and dreams than anyone I can think of. And you and I are going to miss chatting with him. Say goodnight, Dick. RIP