CBS Radio reports that veteran KDKA-AM Pittsburgh personality Fred Honsberger died Wednesday morning (12/16) at his home in Monroeville, PA. He was 58. The cause of death was not disclosed.
“The NewsRadio 1020 KDKA family is deeply saddened to learn that Fred has passed away. Fred truly loved the Pittsburgh area, the KDKA listeners and his colleagues at the station. His immense passion and the enjoyment and pride he took in preparing and producing his shows will be greatly missed. Fred’s family has the station’s deepest sympathies during this difficult period,” said Michael Young, Senior Vice President and Market Manager, CBS Radio Pittsburgh.
“We couldn’t be more proud of the work Fred has done as a dedicated broadcaster over the past three decades. His love for, and dedication to his listeners in Pittsburgh cannot be duplicated. Our sincere condolences go out to Fred’s family,” said Dan Mason, President and CEO, CBS Radio
Honsberger joined KDKA in 1979 after working as a news anchor at sister station KYW-AM in his hometown of Philadelphia. He began at KDKA as a news anchor and reporter working the night shift, and as John Cigna and Roy Fox’s newsman. Later, he was named KDKA Radio’s News Director, a position he held from 1984-89. Following that, he moved into the role of talk show host. Honsberger had hosted afternoons on the station (weekdays, noon-3 pm ET) since January 5, 2009. His last show was on Tuesday, December 8th.
Honsberger has won multiple awards for his reporting, anchoring and series work. The most prestigious was the Dupont Award given to the Group W Radio reporters who covered the Three Mile Island nuclear disaster in 1979 of which Honsberger was part of that team. In addition, he is a two-time winner of the Radio and Television News Director Association’s award for excellence in radio news. He won a Golden Quill Award for his radio special on the Pittsburgh police undercover drug squad and for TV commentaries.
