KIOA-FM Des Moines reports that Richard “Dic” Youngs, known as “Youngsy,” has died after a long illness. He was 68.
Youngsy spent his entire radio career in Des Moines, starting at age 16 as a DJ at KSO-AM, followed by 42 years at KIOA-AM and/or FM. He finished up with a stint at sister station KRNT-AM, hosting a weekly Oldies show.
Along the way, Youngsy also organized 26 “Rock N’ Roll Reunions” for the Iowa State Fair. A street in Des Moines was named in his honor in 2008. Dic Youngs Way is right by his alma mater, East High School. He was inducted into both the Iowa Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame and the Iowa Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame in 2006.
KIOA has posted video of Youngsy’s final break on its website.
