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The News-Herald - March 31When Dick Purtan signed off the air last Friday, I felt a personal sense of loss. I'd listened to him for nearly all the 45 years of his broadcast career here in Detroit - at first on my RCA transistor radio, afternoons when he began on WKNR (Keener 13), and then mornings on every subsequent stop he made on the radio dial as I made my way to high school, college, and to every job I've held my whole life.
His wit and humor - and his dedication to the community - inspired my work and my career. He showed me that it's not enough to simply entertain an audience, it's the responsibility of anyone blessed with a forum (either on radio, or in print) to - even in some small way - make the community in which that audience lives a better place.
Thank you, Dick - for everything you gave to us throughout the years ... the music, the laughs, all of "Purtan's People," and - after 45 years of hard work on your part - a richer, happier community. I just have to get used to navigating rush hour traffic without you!
That's the point!
Good job Dan!
ReplyDeleteNow that's funny, I don't care who ya are!!
ReplyDeleteI know my morning's had not been the same. I too have been listen to Dick Putan for his whole Detroit career.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't have said it better. I miss the whole "gang!
ReplyDeleteI miss, miss, miss the show riding to work - hearing you all when my alarm goes off. On good days or not so good days, you were a constant in my life - giving me a laugh to de-stress and helping me not take things so seriously. The choices I have now of morning radio shows are either too loud and rude(some actually shout)or boring(yawn)yadda, yadda, yadda about relationships or problems. I miss your fun, classy, easy mornings. Come back one day a week?! I vote for Mondays!
ReplyDeleteDick, don't you usually wear a sweater?
ReplyDeleteKeith
I also vote for once a week! At least give post one "Master Rap" theatre!
ReplyDeleteDave
SWEET CARTOON, STILL IN MOURNING, MISSING
ReplyDeletePURTAN'S PEOPLE, WAH, WAH, WAH...
I listened to Dick Purtan all the time. Then I moved all the way to the tip of the U.P. and cried as I watched his last show on the computer. All I can say is everything Dan said is soooooo true, that Mr. Purtan is more than a radio personality. He is one hell of a guy.
ReplyDeleteDan said a mouth full. What a great cartoon about a even greater legend.
ReplyDeleteWell drawn and said!
ReplyDeleteAmen,I could not of said it better,Happy retirement Dick,but we will still be able to enjoy your company on FB...Thank Tou...Jim..
ReplyDeleteThe first time I remember listening to Dick I was 13 and on the bus to my Busia's house in PA. After that I was a loyal listener. The very first time I heard the song "Rubber Ducky" I was on my way to work at Mercy College. I never laughed so hard in my life. Thank you Dick for all the marvelous mornings you have given me. Barb Dempkowski, Dearborn Heights, MI>
ReplyDeleteExcellent cartoon, Dan! I listened to Dick for 40 years and it was a great way to start my day. Thank you Dick and Purtan's People for getting my day off to a great start for such a long time. I now look forward to updates on your website. Enjoy your retirement and the opportunity to sleep in Dick.
ReplyDeleteMike
This cartoon said it all. Part of me is pretending that the gang is on vacation and they'll be back soon. We in Michigan have been blessed by having Dick Purtan and his People to keep us smiling into work. At least he has continued to give us laughs on his website. May his Retirement be as wonderful as his Radio career has been. I miss you everyday.
ReplyDeleteDiane
Amen, Dan. You speak for a lot of us.
ReplyDeleteMary Mc
It's been three weeks and I'm still in shock that Dick and Purtan's people are no longer on the radio! I have a hard time getting going on Monday mornings these days without the 7:00 AM wake up song! That's just one of the many, many things I really miss! I've listen to Dick my entire working career (33 years), so every day when I leave the house I truly feel like I've forgotten something... just can't put my finger on it! Anyway... Happy Retirement Dick and thank you for 33 years of memories!
ReplyDeleteBrian - Rochester
I agree totally with Dan. Since Dick's last show, my mornings are all messed up. Went up and down the dial - nothing worth my time. So I keep WWJ on until I'm all dressed and then I listen to the CDs in my car. So happy for Dick on his retirement. And to all the people gang throughout the years that brought so many laughs and tears! Radio today is not that enjoyable!
ReplyDeleteOne station was or still is calling themselves the alternative to Dick Purtan. Ha, not even a close second. Thanks Dan and Thanks Dick
ReplyDeleteMatthew P. - Third rock from the sun
I too, miss Dick and the crew. I, however started listening to Dick in 1960. He was at WSAI-AM in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was known as Paul Purtan back then. His quick wit and and sense of community, even back then made me a fan at 12 yrs. old. When he left in 1965 to join WKNR-AM, I lost contack with him. I did reconnect with Dick a little over a year ago. He explained to me how I could listen to his show over my computer. I did listen every morning an enjoyed every moment. The people in the Detroit area had a great 45 years of radio listening. Thanks for the memories!!
ReplyDeleteDetroit--- You stole Dick Purtan and Sparky Anderson from us. You owe us one
Ken Kemper
I also recently retired and was happy when Dick
ReplyDeleteretired also. Now I am not afraid that I am going to miss anything by sleeping in. Dick and
Purtans People were a highlight of my mornings
when I was working. Thanks Dan for the cartoon.
It hit home for a lot of people.
Wow, this cartoon hits home! Being almost 44 and living in "the D" since birth, I can SO relate to the emotions, which I did feel the Monday after Dick retired.
ReplyDelete.Untill I returned to Detroit, I was a loyal NPR listener. I happened upon the "Dick Purtan" show, and became a fan. Sadly I was only able to listen to him for a few weeks before his retirement. I really, really miss the show. Purtan made me feel good, NPR make me feel sad or bored.
ReplyDeleteI didn't listen to the morning show to hear music - it was to hear Dick and Purtan's People. I didn't listen to them to be lulled to sleep (ala NPR) - it was to be put into fits of laughter, fond memories and an escape. Now, I guess it's back to NPR...
ReplyDeleteDick, the Gang and those mornings are now the memories. Thanks, Dick. Thanks for the memories...
I keep trying to find a channel to listen to
ReplyDeletebut to no avail!!! I'm lost without your show
in the morning. I've resorted to listening
to your cd's of past shows but it is not the
sam. Shirley
I'm tearing up just reading all of these comments..We really miss you Dick..Happy to have this connection because your stories always make me laugh. Enjoy. Phyllis Dillon
ReplyDeleteGreat job Dan. My drive in to work still is not the same and I am tied of looking for a station that is puts a smile on my face to start the day.
ReplyDeleteMy drive to work will never be the same. The smile that erased the concerns is gone...I really am lost..the lol mornings are a thing of the past like so many things. I miss your humor, my kind of humor...Thank you for the years of fun and laughter and good feelings to start the day.
ReplyDeleteMary M.
There’s a lot of truth in this cartoon. We miss Dick and his gang so much, yet we wish everyone our best. Gail, we offer you our sympathy! Lately, we’ve NOT woken up laughing so hard that it hurts and it has our system out of whack…we may have to add a fiber supplement to our day because there’s nothing on Detroit radio that does what Purtan’s People did for us! We love you and hope you’re showered with blessings from above during this next chapter in your life!
ReplyDeleteNice article and drawing! I could have written those same words Dan. I remember that transistor radio and Purtan's Put-Ons.
ReplyDeleteHe had me at "Hello" and then for 45 years.
--Maggi From Wixom
I was in total denial leading up to Dick's retirement. I've listened to Dick since WKNR, now I keep flipping the stations in the am and can't find ANYTHING that keeps my interest. I usually end up listening to CD's. Sure miss Dick & his People!!!
ReplyDeleteSadly, I was out of town, working in California during Dick's last weeks. I also had listened for almost all of the 45 years, first picking him up on WXYZ. What a class act. With so much of the media dominated with sub 100 IQ's and the humor below that, his wit was very welcome. One of my last day's in town, I called the show to respond to the question: "What should my last song be?" I suggested "Take this job and shove it" by Johnny Paycheck. I got a laugh out of all of them, that made my day, to make the guy that makes us laugh, laugh. 73.
ReplyDelete