KGO's Pete Wilson dead at 62

[radiofan]

KGO Radio Talk Host Pete Wilson died last night from a heart attack suffered during hip replacement surgery at Stanford University Hospital. He was 62.

KGO Radio President and General Manager Mickey Luckoff said, "Pete was a rare talent who took his listeners on a fascinating daily journey through the day's important events, demanding critical and balanced analysis from all sides of an issue. He was never fully satisfied just reporting the facts of a situation. He constantly questioned and probed the logic behind the beliefs and views of those in the news."

Pete was also a highly successful television journalist, anchoring the 6PM news at KGO-TV, ABC7 Television. In a broadcast career spanning over 30 years, Pete won the prestigious Peabody award, five Emmy awards and numerous other local and national awards.

KGO Radio Operations Director Jack Swanson said, "In an industry where broadcasters' opinions are often predictable, Pete always looked at issues with fresh eyes. He was usually far less impressed with his own opinions and more interested in understanding the motivations and logic behind the opinions of others. Pete's passing is a huge loss for the KGO Radio family where he was not only respected, but genuinely loved."

Pete's broadcast career began at a radio station in Milwaukee. He was a journalism graduate from the University of Wisconsin and a Vietnam veteran. Pete joined KGO Radio as host of his daily 2:00-4:00PM program in 2000. He had also been a long-time television news anchor with KRON -TV, and KXTL-TV in Sacramento.

Pete, who resided in Marin County, is survived by his wife Sandra, and his son Brendan, a college student.

from KGO 810 Website

[radiofan]

In addition to hosting the 2 - 4PM sloyt on KGO AM, Pete was also the 6PM New Anchor on KGO-TV.


ABC7 News Anchor Pete Wilson Remembered
Friends And Colleagues Pay Tribute

Jul. 21, 2007 (KGO) - Longtime news anchor Pete Wilson passed away Friday night from a massive heart attack. It happened during hip replacement surgery at Stanford Medical Center. Pete was just 62-years-old.

This was an emotional day for all of us at ABC7 News -- he was our friend and our colleague. And, of course, this news is very upsetting for many of you who watched Pete on television and listened to him on the radio all of these years. Pete was a Bay Area broadcasting institution.

It has been an overwhelming day -- one that began with shock, disbelief, grief and then the practical challenge of trying to share with you all what we know and loved about Pete Wilson. Let's begin with this observation: what you heard on the radio, and saw every day, was the genuine man on camera, off camera -- Pete Wilson was Pete Wilson.

Who would have known that last Wednesday night, Pete Wilson would make his last broadcast. That the man who was always so prepared, would leave so suddenly after what should have been a routine hip replacement at Stanford Hospital.

Kevin Keeshan, V.P. News, ABC7: "During surgery he had heart failure. They tried to save him through the night, through the next day. He was finally taken off life support at about 9:20 on Friday night."

Pete spent 30 years on the air in Northern California. He first came to KGO in 1983 and faced a difficult task.

Martin Wyatt, retired ABC7 Sports Anchor: "He followed a legend in Van Amberg -- who was one of the longest running number one anchors in Bay Area history. And so to follow a legend and then to become a legend -- that's what's so special about him."

Pete Wilson was an intellect with a sponge for a brain. Gary Radnich worked with him before San Francisco, in Sacramento.

Gary Radnich: "Pete Wilson was too darn smart to read the teleprompter."

Martin Wyatt: "He was kind of like Muhammad Ali. They used to say it was not arrogance if you could back it up. He was one of the brightest guys that I have ever worked with."

An uncommon man with an uncommon touch.

Greg DeRego, ABC7 Managing Editor: "Pete resonated with the average guy who had the obvious question that drove him crazy and wanted an answer."

ABC7 Managing Editor Greg DeRego knew Wilson from the first day he walked through these doors.

All of us marveled at Pete's depth, his ability to just go with out a script.

He was at Candlestick Park right after the Loma Prieta earthquake. He did much the same at the eruption of Mount Kilauea in 1990.

Greg DeRego: "When we got to Hawaii we were on the ground for five minutes and Pete was walking and talking."

The private Pete Wilson loved golf. He was a Vietnam vet. He had a long, happy marriage, and a son he adored. He never stopped reading. Those of us who went to his office should have looked more closely at the landscapes decorating his walls - Pete Wilson painted them.

Suzanne Shaw, former co-anchor: "He was in some respects just revving up for what he could have done in the remaining 20-years, 30-years of his life that he should have had - 62 is just much too young for someone to die."

Pete Wilson always came across as a guy with strong opinions and he did have them. But he was also a wonderful listener - he made people feel important that way. His friends would tell you that Pete Wilson was a kind, loyal man.

There will be a private family service and a public memorial for Pete. No formal plans yet as to when or where.


Copyright 2007, ABC7/KGO-TV/DT Website.