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BORN
1929
DIED
2020
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Richard Thrall Obituary
Hendersonville - Richard C. "Dick" Thrall, Jr, 90, of Hendersonville, Tennessee, passed away on Thursday, May 14, 2020. Born November 13, 1929 in Delaware, Ohio, he was the son of the late Richard C. Thrall and Pauline Taylor Thrall.
Dick was the Senior Vice President of Operations and Administration at Multimedia Entertainment, Inc. He originated the concept of television syndication with The Phil Donahue Show and was instrumental in on air innovations for Phil Donahue, Sally Jesse Raphael, and Rush Limbaugh. He served for 13 years as National Awards Chair for the National Television Academy. Dick was also the Senior Vice President and General Manager of Multimedia Entertainment in Nashville, producing Country and Western music and associated television projects.
Dick was Chairman for the radio-television department council in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 1964-67; producer and director at WBNS-TV in Columbus, Ohio and at KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from 1951-59 where he later became public affairs director and assistant program manager 1959-67. Dick was the program director at WLW-C in Columbus, Ohio and manager of corporate programs Avco Broadcasting Corporation in Cincinnati, Ohio, 1967-68. He was a member of the Pittsburgh Radio Television Club (director 1967) and National Academy Television Arts Sciences (Board of Governors 1968).
Dick enjoyed traveling, fishing, writing, and spending time with his family. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Shirley Thrall, in December of 2019.
He is survived by his children Vallerie (Bert) Alm, Cynthia Graser, Laurie (Steve) Woodward, and Jim (Tracey) Hochberg; brother Jesse (Jane) Thrall, and sister Miriam Hanson; grandchildren Robert, Alanna, Ashley, Calvin, Christopher, Jeffrey, Nick, Corey, Jordan and Ryan.
A Celebration of Life Funeral Service will be held at Spring Hill Funeral Home in Nashville on Friday, May 22, at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow in the Historic Spring Hill Cemetery. Due to Covid-19 restrictions for group gatherings, attendance is limited to 10 people. A link to the livestream of his service will be posted on his obituary at www.SpringHillFH.com on Friday morning.
Arrangements entrusted to Spring Hill Funeral and Cemetery, a Nashville landmark since 1785. "Where Nashville Comes to Remember"
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Richard Thrall
Sponsored by Spring Hill Funeral Home & Cemetery - Nashville.
4 Entries
Erik
July 29, 2024
Dick & Shirl were the best friends anyone could have.
Aviva Radbord
May 10, 2023
Remembering Dick Thrall, and all of his tremendous work for Group W Westinghouse Broadcasting Company. A hero, of mine.
Aviva Radbord
May 17, 2020
Dick Thrall set a standard of excellence, in local programming, during his time, as a producer and director, and Public Affairs Director, at Westinghouse Broadcasting Company's KDKA-TV, in the 1960's. His work, was an inspiration, to me, as a teenager -- and inspired me to pursue a similar path, at the same television station, for 43 and a half years. I never had the fortune of meeting Richard Thrall, but he played an important role, in my life. I thank him, for the standard, that he set. My deepest condolences, to his family and friends.
From the Staff of Spring Hill Funeral Home & Cemetery.
May 16, 2020
Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.
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Memorial Events
for Richard Thrall
May
22
Funeral service
11:00 a.m.
Spring Hill Funeral Home & Cemetery - Nashville5110 Gallatin Pike S, Nashville, TN 37216
Funeral services provided by:
Spring Hill Funeral Home & Cemetery - Nashville5110 Gallatin Pike S, Nashville, TN 37216
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