WCTE, Central TN PBS, would likely not be here if not for the direction and care of Richard Castle as well as the commitment he and his family made in 1978 to the Upper Cumberland region with public media to establish WCTE, which continues to be the only television station licensed to this rural region.
"Richard Castle gave so many of us our start in broadcasting! I know he is responsible for the career I have at WCTE and placed me on a path that I have cherished and love. His legacy will live on here as well as throughout the country with media professionals he has influenced over the years." -Becky Magura, WCTE Central TN PBS President and CEO
On Thursday, March 4 at 5pm, WCTE will pay tribute to this legacy leader with a special Live at 5 broadcast, in memory of Mr. Castle. Hosted by Becky Magura, WCTE President and CEO, the special will include his sons, Art and Roger Castle as well as interviews with former staff and community members. In addition to the program airing on WCTE, it will also be streamed via Facebook and WCTE.org. The program will repeat on WCTE PBS Friday, March 5 at 5pm.
Richard Castle, Jr. was born in Danville, Illinois in October of 1936 to Richard and Bessie Castle. He grew up showing horses with his family at local and state fairs and developing his love of sports attending University of Illinois sporting events with his father. He attended and graduated from Danville High School. While in high school he got his first experience in television while working at the local radio station that started broadcasting television which was in its infancy. After graduating from Northwestern University, with a degree in Acting and Theater, he served in the United States Army, where he became a member of the 82nd Airborne. Upon leaving the military, he moved to Buffalo, NY and joined the local NBC affiliate as a director and cameraman.
After several years in Buffalo, he moved to New Hampshire to join the PBS family at the New Hampshire Network. This is where he met his wife Donna Lee King. They were married in 1969 until her passing from cancer is in 2008. Donna was his constant companion.
He then moved to Nashville to work at WDCN-TV. After a few years at the State of Tennessee, he moved to Cookeville to become the General Manager of WCTE-TV, where he focused on highlighting the Upper Cumberland covering local businesses, music, and his favorite local sports, including Tennessee Tech athletics. After he retired from the station and the passing of his wife, Richard moved to Santa Monica, California.
Richard passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 11th, 2021. In addition to the broadcast memorial on WCTE, a small funeral service will be held with his immediate family in Iowa, where he will be laid to rest with his parents and his sister. He is survived by the three sons, Russell, Arthur and Roger.
Donations can be made to WCTE PBS in lieu of flowers to support a local production fund at www.wcte.org or by calling Avery Hutchins at 931-528-2222.
