NEPA journalism pioneer dies
Tom Bigler, who guided WNEP and WBRE during its early years, has died at the age of 85. He was an anchor, and later news director, at WNEP in the late 1950s, and later jumped to WBRE, where he stayed until he resigned in 1986. Bigler also taught journalism at Wilkes University, and until recently, was a Times Leader columnist.WNEP has an obituary article, while
posted by Howard Beale at 12:56 AM
13 Comments:
Howard said: WNEP has an obituary article, while I haven't seen or heard a peep on WBRE.
Odd you should say that. I was watching Fox 56 News At Ten and you'd think the guy never existed. 28 did a good job covering him.
Are you referring to OTA or just web?
I only met him a couple of times, but some people I respect really respected Tom Bigler. I hope they'll step forward here with their stories about him.
I 'm told he could be a crusty SOB and a great man..sometimes both in the same minute.
Howard,
Then you missed the noon newscast and the early evening newscasts on Friday on WBRE. Bigler's death was mentioned there.
I was never much of a WBRE newswatcher, but I almost always switched over to see Tom Bigler's editorials because I liked them. He was an intelligent man, gave his opinions without looking down on those opposed, and seemed like an overall nice guy who did his job well. I didn't realize his other accomplishments until the WNEP obit. Rest in peace, Mr. Bigler. Thank you, WNEP for the update. And if WBRE did NOT do a tribute, hang your head in shame for ignoring the passing of a dedicated employee who was a credit to your organization. He was a good man. That doesn't say much for the current crop for dropping the ball.
I really doubt you can find anyone who'll say a bad word about Tom Bigler. And that alone says a ton.
He was an extraordinarily ethical man, and that brought its own rewards throughout his long and productive life.
"And if WBRE did NOT do a tribute, hang your head in shame for ignoring the passing of a dedicated employee who was a credit to your organization."
12:06 PM
Yo, 12:06--you're living proof of what happens when you ASS-ume.
RIP Tom...another great one passes.
And let's be fair and not use this thread about a gentleman as another tool to air out dirty laundry. WBRE (and WYOU, of course), both aired obit pieces.
4:33 PM, I was NOT assuming anything. It appears that Howard was, since he stated in his topic that HE hadn't heard or seen a peep from WBRE. So, Howard is human and also makes mistakes. My apologies to WBRE. It also appears 4:33 is the one assuming. Next time, read the topic before slamming any of the comments.
Tom Bigler's editorials were some of the best ever done. I will always remember him for those. They were well written and presented. RIP.
12:06 AM and 12:21 AM ... I guess you're the same author. From observing, you're the only goof making assumptions.
YOU SAY : "That doesn't say much for the current crop for dropping the ball."
I SAY : Get your head out of your ass. You assumed WBRE never aired anything on this local legend, when, in fact, they did for most of Friday evening.
If you're going to coment on content, make sure you're doing the homework. Otherwise, you're just assuming, and that leaves many of us readers to assume you're nothing more than a head-up-somebody's ASS .
Since 1:17 PM insists upon focusing on a particular part of our anatomy, I'll do the Christian thing and turn the other "cheek". Howard, I see you have corrected your original statement which led my opinion astray. I'm sorry this topic went off on a tangent. We really should focus on respect for Mr. Bigler and let the petty arguments fall by the wayside. Rest in peace, Tom.
Yeah, it was my mistake for not mentioning that WBRE mentioned Bigler's death.
That said, it seems the art of the editorial in this market died when Bigler left WBRE. You don't see many GMs offering an actual intelligent opinion, whether you agree with it or not.
Tom Bigler was quite a man. He would labor over his editorials. He was the peacemaker in a newsroom full of misfits. Tom ran interference between the newsroom and upper management. I could never understand how he and Franklin D. Coslett were able to coexist in the same city let alone the same newsroom. He would be sucking down nitroglycerin pills on a regular basis (this is in the 80's) and he lives to the ripe old age of 85. His comments were sometimes conservative, sometimes liberal, occasionally libertarian, but always thoughtful. He is one of the few people I have missed since I departed lovely Wilkes-Barre about 15 years ago. On your Blog Howard, let me say that somethings never change, like the broadcast business in NEPA.
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