R.I.P.: PA Radio Owner Cary Simpson

For the better part of seven decades, Cary Simpson’s warm, gentle voice brought happenings of the Tyrone community to life over the airways of WTRN 1340 AM in Tyrone PA.

That irreplaceable voice has gone silent with Simpson’s passing Tuesday at the age of 89, according to the Altoona Mirror.

The Huntingdon native embarked on a career building a network of AM and FM radio stations throughout central Pennsylvania, including WTRN, which he began operating in 1950, Simpson was a local fixture on the airwaves.

WTRN was the base of operations for the Allegheny Mountain Radio Network, which he managed along with Betty.

Simpson’s passion for his adopted hometown — “this place we call home,” as he would say — was apparent to the listeners of the small AM station that faithfully delivered the local news each morning and broadcast every high school sporting event, parade and anytime Tyrone gathered.

Simpson, who was named Broadcaster of the Year in 1985 by the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters inducted into the association’s inaugural Hall of Fame class in 1996, was instrumental in providing many in the industry their start.

Dick DiAndrea, a longtime local broadcaster, who was named broadcaster of the year by the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters in 2010, said Simpson gave him his first job in commercial radio at WTRN-AM in 1960.

“At 19, I had the courage to call Cary, he interviewed me and hired me on the spot. He was nicest and the most understanding man I ever knew. I developed my style there. Someone at WFBG heard me on the Tyrone station and offered me a job at Channel 10. I will never forget him,” DiAndrea said.

DiAndrea called Simpson the ultimate broadcaster.

“He built his own equipment. He was a nerd when it came to equipment and broadcasting. Scotch tape and duct tape were his favorite tools,” DiAndrea said. “He gave everyone who wanted to get into radio the chance to do so. He gave them the experience to go forth. He always gave you the opportunity to learn.”

Tyrone native Dave Snyder, now a radio marketing consultant and on-air personality for Seven Mountains Media, got his start on WTRN and said Simpson’s life is literally one of service, from serving his country in World War II to his commitment to service oriented, small town radio stations all over Pennsylvania, for nearly 70 years.

“An amazing human being,” Snyder said. “He was one of the kindest, most genuine people I’ve ever known. Entirely without pretense. He would always make time for you.”