Richard Dale Stone

Rick Stone was a radio broadcasting entrepreneur in Northern Michigan. Born August 1, 1947, to Glenn and Doris Stone in Toledo, Ohio. He was raised in Sylvania, Ohio. Graduated from the University of Michigan in electrical engineering in 1969. He then worked for Motorola as a design engineer.

Rick was a member of the design group who created Motorola’s first EMS telemetry unit. While at Motorola he also received a U.S. patent for a new communication device. In 1971, he married Barbara Dick in Toledo, Ohio. They made their home in suburban Chicago.

Rick received his MBA from Northwestern University in 1976. After this he continued at Motorola as the product planning manager for two-way mobile radio design and cellular telephone products.

Rick owned and operated eight radio stations over the course of his 40-years radio career. His interest in broadcasting began with his favorite college summer job at WSPD radio in Toledo. He also did engineering for the U of M student radio and TV stations. In 1977, Rick formed Stone Broadcasting Co. and purchased his first radio station, WOXY in Oxford, Ohio.

Rick’s goal, however, was to live in Northern Michigan. In 1981, Rick and Barbara relocated to Petoskey. While waiting for FCC approval for a construction permit for a new FM station, Rick built and managed WMKC, St. Ignace/Mackinaw City. In 1988, the FCC finally approved the license for WAIR 92.5 FM with 100,000 watts, covering 23 counties with a “solid gold” format. About a year later the FCC also granted a new sister station, WTRV-FM 94.3 in Traverse City.

In 1992, WJML-AM 1110 (news-talk), Petoskey was purchased. Other stations to follow included Traverse City stations WJNL-AM 1210; WJNL-FM 101.1; and WJML-FM. WWKK-AM 750 in Petoskey was also added. Rick managed the WJML news/talk group for over 25 years.

Some of Rick’s public service history include: former member of Rotary in Oxford, Ohio and in Petoskey. Also in Oxford, Rotarian of the Year, Founding Member of the Chamber of Commerce, and granted “Outstanding Service” by United Way. In Petoskey, WJML funded the Petoskey fireworks for two years, “sold” the Mackinaw Bridge in pieces as a fundraiser twice-once for the purchase of EMS equipment for Northern Michigan, and the second time for March of Dimes; recipient of Petoskey Chamber of Commerce Mission Award; Salvation Army Chairman of Advisory Board; Past President of Little Traverse Bay U of M Alumni Club (GO BLUE!).

Rick was a former member of the First Presbyterian Church in Harbor Springs and a current member of Church of the Straits in Mackinaw City.

Rick will be remembered as a very kind, loving, gentle man. He was devoted to his family and is survived by Barbara, his wife of 54 years; his daughters, Amy (Chris) Laidlaw of Concord, NC and Jennifer (Chris) Stone of Scappoose, OR; and by 3 grandchildren, Jackson, Aiden, and Emilia.

A celebration of life will be held at Church of the Straits, Mackinaw City, on Saturday, June 13th with visitation from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, with the service beginning at 11:00 AM. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Petoskey. Contributions may be made to Church of the Straits.

The family wants to thank the staff of Linda Margaret’s Retirement Community in Cheboygan as well as Advisacare Hospice, Nurse Velvet for kindness and loving care.