Richard Ward Fatherley
August 20, 1940 – March 8, 2010
Richard Ward Fatherley, a “True American’, well known for his distinctive voice in broadcasting is now resting peacefully after his passing on Monday, March 8, 2010, at 69 years of age. He was born August 20, 1940, the son of the late Robert E. and Emeline W. Fatherley of Darien, CT. He was also preceded by his brother, William.
Richard graduated from Darien, High School, CT in 1958. As a distinguished voice, producer and on air talent, he began his career in radio in 1959 at WSTC in Stamford, CT. He was with radio stations in New York City, St. Louis KXOK (Storz Broadcasting) and sister station WHB, An audio biography was made “Radio’s Revolution & The World’s Happiest Broadcasters”. Miami WFUN, Topeka KTOP and WREN, and Kansas City WDAF, 61 Country A.M and the addition of FM which became, KYYS (KY-102), in a career that spanned 50 years, with stations that changed the radio listening habits of America. While at WHB, in Kansas City, as program director, he started the “Night Beat” program, the first regularly scheduled talk show. In 1983 he was named one of the nation’s top radio personalities by Billboard and was inducted into the St. Louis Radio Hall of Fame On January 4, 2006. He also offered “Fatherley Advice” (advertising) and after retiring, he was known as “AdVoice LLC”. He was an accomplished production consultant, voice-over talent, researcher, orator and author. Listen! and you will still hear his voice today in the various commercials that play continually throughout the nation.
Richard was a man of his word, selfless and often worked free of charge for many organizations. He spoke to K-State and many groups through the years. He tried to continually protect our rights as Americans. He will be remembered for his many sacrifices he made to make the world a better place through less government and standing by our constitutional rights. His love as a father, wealth of knowledge, grand voice, and passion in everything he believed in will be passed on through the generations.
Richard is survived by his wife Kathy, son Richard Ward Jr. and stepsons, Mark, Matthew, Stephen and Christopher Tomlinson, all of Kansas City, his sons, Douglas (Jodi) and Charles (Jennifer) and his daughter, Carol (CJ) McDaniel, all of Tonganoxie, KS; his son Robert (Brandi) of Jefferson City, MO; daughter, Kathryn and son, William, of Sudbury, MA; his brothers Robert E. Jr. (Julie) of Westport, CT, and John (Danielle) of Chicopee, MA.; 10 grand children, 3 great-grand children, and 2 nephews.
Memorial services will be held on Friday, March 19, 2010 at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 5250 Mission Road, Roeland Park, KS. Visitation begins at 9:30 am with the Eulogy at 10:30 and Mass at 11:00. The family requests no flowers. A memorial scholarship has been established in his honor as his legacy to assist young adults in their aspirations to have a career in the communications industry. Contributions may be sent to the Richard Ward Fatherley Memorial Communications Scholarship, c/o First State Bank and Trust, PO Box 219, Tonganoxie, KS 66086, or to the Little Sisters of the Poor in Kansas City in Richard’s name.
The family wishes to thank all of the outstanding medical professionals at both KU Med Center and the Select Specialty Hospital at Providence Medical Center.
Fatherley’s golden voice is etched somewhere in your memory. A great legacy.
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