WILLIAM H. HAHN Jr.

HAHN, William H Jr. Beloved husband of Bette (Elizabeth) Hahn (deceased), of Quincy and Plymouth peacefully passed away at home on the morning of Friday, November 15th. Aged 89, he was fortunate to say goodbye surrounded by members of his family. Bill, born in Rockford, Illinois, first moved to the Boston area in 1941 to attend Harvard College, graduating cum laude as a member of the class of 1945. Harvard presented Bill his first opportunity in broadcasting, where he worked at the Harvard radio station, the Crimson Network, the first step in a journey of over 50 years in Boston broadcasting. While still a student at Harvard Bill started working for the Yankee Network (ultimately WNAC). Amongst the notable radio shows he hosted over his career were: Breakfast with Bill, The Answer Man, Tello Test Quiz, and the long running interfaith religious panel show called Talking Religion on WRKO. When television came along in 1948, Bill had a brand new medium to broadcast to New England audiences. A pioneer of the small screen, he hosted hour long television programs originating from such varied locations as the Boston Public Library, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Isabella Stuart Gardner Museum, the Peabody Museum at Harvard, and the architecture department at MIT as part of the series Yankee Goes Calling. Of the many interviews Bill had with celebrities, his 1952 televised interview of then Congressman John F. Kennedy was notable in that Bill was the one who introduced JFK to television on his show Bill Hahns Profiles. This was back when JFK was gearing up for a run for the US Senate against Henry Cabot Lodge. Later in his career, Bill moved behind the camera, where in addition to mentoring many of the new generation of broadcasters, he set the standard for public affairs programming in RKOs broadcast properties throughout the country. A recipient of many broadcasting awards over the years, including the 2003 Gold Circle Award of the New England Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, he was ultimately inducted into the Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2009. Bill was active in many philanthropic and charitable organizations, highlighted by his involvement in Ford Hall Forum and the American Heart Association, where he lobbied heavily against the adverse effects of tobacco. He was a keen amateur entomologist, a passionate gardener, and lover of the outdoors. An avid beekeeper and former Eagle Scout, Bill took great pleasure assisting local Boy Scouts in earning their bee husbandry merit badges. Brother of Barbara Conklin of Hanover, Indiana. Father of Pamela Hahn of New Jersey, William H. Hahn III and his wife Jennifer Park of Roslindale, Alan Hahn and his wife Karin Martin of Oregon, Amy Hahn and her husband Alan Gowell of Edgartown. Beloved Grandfather of Stephanie Gannon, Melanie Mixon, Matthew Rogers, Eliza Gowell and Warren Gowell. Great Grandfather of 4. And many close friends, especially the Knight family. The family would like anyone who had an affiliation with Bill, a story to share or thoughts for the family to visit www.casperfuneralservices.com to pass along their messages. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Ford Hall Forum, Suffolk University, 41 Temple St., Boston, MA 02114, by visiting them online at www.fordhallforum.org, or calling them on 617 557-2007.