 
|
|
              
|
Obituary: Edward Young, longtime KDKA radio executive, historian
Tuesday, March 06, 2001 By Adrian McCoy, Post-Gazette Staff Writer
Edward Young had many interests and took part in civic activities beyond his long career in radio. But the history of radio remained one of his passions, even after retirement.
Perhaps that's because he was a pioneer in the medium, spending three decades at KDKA Radio.
Mr. Young, who died Friday in his Zelienople home, had suffered with health problems of late. He died in his sleep of a heart attack, said his son, Peter Young. He was 86.
Mr. Young was born in Zelienople. He graduated from Muskingum College in Ohio and spent a year in graduate school at New York University. Early in his career, Mr. Young was a high school teacher and coach in Zelienople and Beaver.
His radio career, which included on-air production and management jobs, began at stations in Uniontown and Youngstown.
But it was at KDKA-AM that he found his calling. His career there, which started in 1942, spanned more than 30 years. He performed at a variety of jobs before moving up to administrator of the program department. He retired from radio in May 1974.
Mr. Young's time at KDKA coincided with a time of rapid growth and change in the radio business. He was there in radio's heyday, when live orchestras and performers made radio the top entertainment medium.
Mr. Young became the station's unofficial historian. He maintained archival materials and compiled a booklet documenting the station's history. While radio personnel came and went, Mr. Young's efforts recorded the wide range of talents who passed through the doors at KDKA. The manuscript was a compendium of people and programs, anecdotes and stories about the station.
An excerpt offered a glimpse of the author's humility: "One wonders about the value of this account. Someday, someone will read it and smile. ... That is, perhaps, its justification."
His son said his father "was famous for his memory of people and events." He recalls accompanying his father to KDKA Pirates broadcasts from Forbes Field. "Every usher and groundskeeper would greet him by name. He knew their names, too."
"He was a good guy," said Art Pallan, former KDKA announcer. "If anybody had any problems, they'd go to him and he'd resolve them." He also recalled Mr. Young's reputation for being very meticulous and accurate in his work.
Mr. Young was active as a volunteer for several mental health causes. He served as president of the United Mental Health Society of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. He was a founder and president of Transitional Living Services and a member of several boards.
He also was a member and first president of the Zelienople Historical Society and was on the Radio Committee of the Council of Churches.
His wife, Jane S. Young, died in November.
There is no visitation. A private service will be held by the family. Arrangements were handled by Glenn-Kildoo Funeral Home, 219 E. Grandview Ave., Zelienople.
Memorial donations may be made to the Zelienople Historical Society.
|
