In Memoriam

EVANS, JAMES BRYCE

James "Jim" Bryce Evans of Allen, TX passed away at the age of 78 on Wednesday, September 14, 2011. He was born August 24, 1933 in the large town of Linden, Michigan, the son of Bryce Ralph and Gladys Sybil Greene Evans.  A hands-on engineer, Jim mentored many young engineers who treasured him for sharing his vast knowledge and experience. Jim was a mechanical engineering graduate of the University of Michigan with post graduate studies in engineering, math and construction. He was also an experienced pilot and was flight instructor for the Texins Flying Club and the North Texas Flying Club at the McKinney Airport during the 1990s.   After about five years he returned to the U.S. where he began working for Texas Instruments as a mechanical engineer. Several years ago Jim began his association with Mustang Technology Group and was instrumental in supporting its growth and technology advancements until his untimely death. The entire Mustang team is greatly saddened by this loss of a true friend and comrade.

Published in the Tri-County Times, Fenton, Michigan, on September 26, 2011.  Link.

Jim was de-facto Chief Engineer at WEQN in 1953-54.  He led the effort to interconnect the three studios to form the Campus Broadcasting Network.  He didn't hang around the studio  during off-hours but if something needed to be done, Jim would get it done.



McEACHERN, JAMES MUIR
 

James "Jim" Muir McEachern passed in March 2010 at age 71. Beloved husband of Mary E. McEachern; loving father of Terrance McEachern, Elizabeth McEachern Young (Mike) and Molly McEachern Smith (Barrett), "Pop" of Evan, Rachael, Luke, Asher and Braden, brother of Janet Macidull. A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, April 3, at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Rockville, MD. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your local public radio station.  

Published in The Washington Post on March 14, 2010.  Link.

Jim McEachern, 71, who was the principal technical leader for the Public Radio Satellite System for its first two decades and was a key planner of NPR’s technical facilities, died March 3 at age 71. He was one of NPR’s first employees in 1971 and worked for the network for 33 years until he retired in 2004.

Published on the current.org website on March 22, 2010.  Link.

Jim was a volunteer engineer at West Quad in 1955-57.   After he graduated from the University he joined National Public Radio as staff engineer.  At NPR he led the effort to distribute its signal by satellite.  


REYNOLDS, CHARLES RAYMOND

Charles Reynolds, who described his business as providing “chaste, charming, weird, wonderful and supernatural illusions” — and who proved it by coming up with two entirely different ways to make an elephant disappear — died on Thursday at his home in Manhattan. He was 78.  The cause was liver cancer, said his wife, Regina, who is his only survivor.
 
He was producer, director, magic creator and magic consultant for television, stage and film productions from Hollywood and Broadway to London, Paris and Hong Kong. He was chief magic consultant to Mr. Henning for all eight of his annual one-hour network magic specials. The first, in 1975, attracted 50 million viewers.

He shared magic with Jim Henson, Woody Allen, “Saturday Night Live,” the Metropolitan Opera and the organizers of a birthday party for Mickey Mouse.

Published in The New York Times on November 7, 2912.  Link.

Charles "Chuck" Raymond Reynolds (1932-2010) was a behind-the-scenes magician involved with virtually every elements of magic production—inventing illusions, producing and direction magic acts, helping performers perfect their acts, and writing on the subject.   Reynolds was born in Toledo, Ohio, and as a child, he saw Harry Blackstone, Sr. perform. Reynolds was immediately drawn to magic, starting with a Gilbert Mysto Kit. He majored in theater at the University of Michigan, and earned his master's degree there too. He undertook a number of jobs in media and journalism. He met Doug Henning while writing an article on magic, and Henning hired him as a consultant. He was chief magic consultant for Henning's popular network TV magic shows, which ran from 1975 for nearly a decade. He did other work with Henning, including Merlin.

Published on Wikipedia on February 6, 2017.  Link.

Chuck was an active volunteer at WEQN for several years in the 1950's.  He was deeply involved in the the station's operations, serving, among other things, as Program Director and announcer.  He frequently delivered the Lucky Strike News.  He produced his own program -- a mix of music and talk -- introducing himself to "Charles Reynolds, the son of Ra, the world's only living Egyptian god."  He was ringleader of a gang of friends who wrote and produced "radio plays" ― short skits for one or more speakers.  Skits varied from inanely idiotic to just plain dumb, but usually funny.  
  

RITZMANN, PAUL LEONARD

Paul Leonard Ritzmann, 76, passed away in June 2013 in Goshen, Indiana. He was born in 1937 in Detroit, Michigan.  Paul graduated in 1955 from Cass Tech High School in Detroit. He received a degree in Electronic Engineering from the University of Michigan.  Paul was a member of the Creekside Church of the Brethren. He sang in the church choir, was a Sunday school teacher and held several offices within the church.  Paul loved to travel and listen to organ music. Paul worked at C.G. Conn in the Organ Engineering Department and retired from Bayer, where he worked as a manufacturing engineer.

Published in the Goshen (Indiana) News on June 25, 2013.  Link.

Paul was de-facto Chief Engineer at West Quad studio during the 1950s.  He led the physical reconstruction of the studio facilities and he worked effectively with EQ and SQ personnel to integrate the WQ studio into the three-station network.
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WARDEN, ERIC DAVID

Eric David Warden died of heart failure in January 2015 while on vacation in Venice, Florida.  Eric was born in 1937 in Holly, Michigan. An appreciative graduate of Holly High School, he earned bachelors and masters degrees in education from the University of Michigan. He also received an education from working on his hometown newspaper, the Holly Herald-Advertiser.

After he graduated from the University Eric taught grade school for six years, and in 1966 he joined the staff of the Dean of the School of Education where he continued to work until his retirement n 2001.  He served under six of the eight education deans in the school's history and initiated the school's alumni newsletter and its development operations. Eric was married to Sheridan "Sherry" Stasheff, daughter of University of Michigan Professor Edward Stasheff. 

Published in Ann Arbor News on January 11, 2015.  Link.

Eric lived in South Quad and volunteered at WCBN-SQ.   In 1954-55 he actively participated in efforts to interconnect the three studios to form the Campus Broadcasting Network,   He served on the CBN board for several years and served as Chair of the Board when the CBN office moved into its quarters in the Student Activities Building.  

 

JAMES MUIR McEACHERN (Age 71) On Wednesday, March 3, 2010. Beloved husband of Mary E. McEachern; loving father of Terrance McEachern, Elizabeth McEachern Young (Mike) and Molly McEachern Smith (Barrett), "Pop" of Evan, Rachael, Luke, Asher and Braden, brother of Janet Macidull. A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, April 3, at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Rockville, MD. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your local public radio station. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/washingtonpost/obituary.aspx?n=James-M-McEachern&pid=140688713#sthash.LzonR9Oh.dpuf