Well, I have been wanting to write a blog and since it's Father's Day weekend I decided it was only appropriate that I write about my dad. It's been a little over a year since he passed away on April 3rd, 2010. He was a career newsman and always punctual. He died at around 4:55pm, just in time for the 5 o'clock news. He would have liked that.
My Dad with my brother Jeff, my sister Jill and me on my birthday.
My father was the first generation in America from Switzerland. My Grandma Edith taught him German before he ever learned English. He was always proud of his Swiss heritage. We would attend the annual Swiss Picnic every year and wear little Swiss caps that almost looked like little beanies. He always wanted to travel to Switzerland one day and see the town of Canton Bern where his family was from.
It's funny how much you realize someone taught you when they're no longer here. I think of things every day that I learned from my father. I remember spending my Summer vacation waking up at the crack of dawn and tagging along with my dad to WBTC radio. I loved watching him write newscasts on his manual typewriter. He was also a master at editing reel-to-reel tapes with a razor blade. He would let me answer phones for his call-in show "Dial and Deal" and if I was lucky I got to do a weather forecast. It was a thrill. It was then that I got the "radio bug". I knew from a very early age I wanted to be on the radio like him.
Dad in his heyday.
I got my first radio job at WTUZ in Uhrichsville, Ohio. My dad was so thrilled. He listened to me every day. He also was my biggest source for news. He had 2 police scanners in his apartment and called me with news tips all the time. When I moved to Lorain to work at WEOL my dad could no longer listen to me in his apartment in New Philadelphia, so he drove to the parking lot of an office building every day just so he could listen to me. Now, as I'm sitting in the newsroom of WTAM I wish so much that he could listen to me. He's the only person I ever really did the news for.
My dad at WBTC radio in the 1980's.
Ken Courtright was a very humble, down-to-earth person. He never realized how good he was at what he did. I remember being in grocery stores with him and when people heard his very recognizable voice they were "star-struck". He would always get embarassed. He never wanted to be a star. He just loved radio.
When I think of my dad, I automatically think of cheeseburgers and chocolate malts, his favorite food. He also loved Pepsi. He told me once he was happy if he had enough change in his pocket to buy a Pepsi. It's these little memories that I'm so glad I have.
On this Father's Day, whether your father is on earth or in Heaven, take a moment to think about all the things he taught you. Happy Father's Day!
My Dad with my brother Jeff, my sister Jill and me on my birthday.
My father was the first generation in America from Switzerland. My Grandma Edith taught him German before he ever learned English. He was always proud of his Swiss heritage. We would attend the annual Swiss Picnic every year and wear little Swiss caps that almost looked like little beanies. He always wanted to travel to Switzerland one day and see the town of Canton Bern where his family was from.
It's funny how much you realize someone taught you when they're no longer here. I think of things every day that I learned from my father. I remember spending my Summer vacation waking up at the crack of dawn and tagging along with my dad to WBTC radio. I loved watching him write newscasts on his manual typewriter. He was also a master at editing reel-to-reel tapes with a razor blade. He would let me answer phones for his call-in show "Dial and Deal" and if I was lucky I got to do a weather forecast. It was a thrill. It was then that I got the "radio bug". I knew from a very early age I wanted to be on the radio like him.
Dad in his heyday.
I got my first radio job at WTUZ in Uhrichsville, Ohio. My dad was so thrilled. He listened to me every day. He also was my biggest source for news. He had 2 police scanners in his apartment and called me with news tips all the time. When I moved to Lorain to work at WEOL my dad could no longer listen to me in his apartment in New Philadelphia, so he drove to the parking lot of an office building every day just so he could listen to me. Now, as I'm sitting in the newsroom of WTAM I wish so much that he could listen to me. He's the only person I ever really did the news for.
My dad at WBTC radio in the 1980's.
Ken Courtright was a very humble, down-to-earth person. He never realized how good he was at what he did. I remember being in grocery stores with him and when people heard his very recognizable voice they were "star-struck". He would always get embarassed. He never wanted to be a star. He just loved radio.
When I think of my dad, I automatically think of cheeseburgers and chocolate malts, his favorite food. He also loved Pepsi. He told me once he was happy if he had enough change in his pocket to buy a Pepsi. It's these little memories that I'm so glad I have.
On this Father's Day, whether your father is on earth or in Heaven, take a moment to think about all the things he taught you. Happy Father's Day!
