Fred J. Runde Jr.

Eleanor, Charlotte and Fred, I was so sorry to hear the news about your Dad's illness and death. Eleanor, I can't tell you how much I appreciated your letting me know. I suspected that something was wrong when we did not get one of his clever Christmas greetings. Your dad and I would talk on the phone every once in a while and I will miss his happy, optimistic and wonderful observations. He sent me a tape of his DeSoto Hour - it is terrific! Chuck and our sons join me in sending you our love...

Hi, I am Evelyn Lauper Warren's son. Evelyn was Fred's aunt. My sister Ellen Warren Leone has kept Fred's name alive in our minds. I never met Fred but he sounds like a really great person who provided a lot of good music and happiness to a large number of people.

I am now 64 years old, retired from a job as research director of Internation Flavors & Fragrances. I retired to San Diego where I have the position of visiting scholar at the University of California at San Diego....

Typical of his wit, in one of the spots for the DeSoto Hour Fred called it "the show that does more to set back FM radio than any other currently being broadcast." The music may have been retro, but his spirit and kindness were nothing but encouraging, positive and forward-looking to all who had the pleasure of meeting him. Many, many people will miss Fred. Our deepest sympathies to his family...
Thomas Peake, WREK 1988-1993

I knew Fred through the Polk Street Players and the Cobb Community Theater. I was lucky enough to be in a play directed by Fred and became active in the community theater scene at his urging (as did my daughter). Fred was always so gracious and warm and I know his family miss him greatly. I would like to offer my condolences to his family. They will be in my prayers.

What Fred shared was a rare gift for repainting the multifaceted canvas of 20th century band music with his own descriptive words and phrases. There was a unique rapport and trust fostered with listeners that you will likely never hear again on Atlanta radio. His show got to all of us, and if you listen real close somewhere in the world there is one final listener tearing the roof off a DeSoto automobile to mail in where it will do the most good. And that should be hanging above a new WREK...

I never had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Runde; I just started working at WREK last semester. But I listened to his show many times before I was a DJ and really enjoyed it. The DeSoto hour was an institution at WREK, and Fred was an irreplaceable part of that institution. His on the air personality was humorous and inspiring. My sincerest condolences go to his daughters and grandchildren.

Charlotte Runde,
I wanted to let you know how sorry I was to see that your Dad had passed away. I know that this is an extremely difficult time and I wanted to know that you and your family are in my prayers. I went to high school with you and have not seen you in years. Hope you find comfort in the coming days. If you are in town please give send me an email. Take care and hold dear the memories you have of your parents. God bless.
Laurie

He gave the station class, but I know that someone out there is "waiting in the wings" to go another 25 years.

Fred made everyone he met at WREK feel good about radio in particular and life in general. His enthusiasm for the medium astounded me. I am lucky to have known him, and I will miss him.