Posted at RecordPub.com on Sun, Feb. 16, 2003

Dr. John Weiser, 81; Helped Establish WKSU-FM

Dr. John C. Weiser, who was instrumental in the creation of WKSU-FM and served as a guiding force in the careers of scores of radio and television broadcasters during his career at Kent State University, died Friday, Feb. 14, 2003, at Robinson Memorial Hospital. He was 81.

He joined the KSU faculty in 1949 as an instructor in the School of Speech and served in a variety of capacities in the Division of Telecommunications, including graduate coordinator and division coordinator, until his retirement in 1982 as emeritus professor of speech and telecommunications.

He and other colleagues helped to get WKSU on the air as a radio station serving the campus in 1950. After the stations establishment, he continued to serve as faculty supervisor and general manager until 1973.

He took pride in teaching future radio and television broadcasters and following their careers. He was the coordinator of the Radio-TV Academy program from 1975 until 1982.

Born Jan. 7, 1922, in St. Paul, Minn., he was the son of George C. and Irene A. Weiser. A longtime Kent resident, he resided on Valleyview Street.

He attended Iron Mountain Michigan College, Northern Michigan University for two years, the University of Iowa, earning his bachelor of arts degree in 1948 and masters degree in 1949, and Western Reserve University, where he earned his Ph.D. in 1961. He had professional broadcast experience in Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa and Ohio.

During his years at KSU, he established and served as first director of the Artist Lecture Series, which brought many distinguished speakers to the campus, from 1964 to 1970.

He was awarded the Kent State University Presidents Medal in 1989. He was inducted into the Akron Radio Hall of Fame in 1988.

He served on the Board of Trustees, as Portage County representative of Area Agency on Aging 10B and as vice president of the board; the Governors Panel, Task Force on Funding of Public Education in Ohio in 2000; and was active in the Untied Way of Portage County, Meals on Wheels and the Retired Faculty Association.

A member of the Christ Episcopal Church in Kent, he wrote A History of Christ Episcopal Church 1835-1985.

He was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of World War II, serving in the South Pacific.

Survivors include his wife, Lenora M.; sons, John D. of Sacramento, Calif., Michael A. (Opal) of Sacramento, Calif., and James R. (Lisa) Weiser of Akron; two grandchildren; brother, G. Thomas (Joyce) of Vienna, Va.; and sister, Marilyn Peck of Rochester, Minn. His brother, F. Robert, died previously.

There will be no calling hours. A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday at Christ Episcopal Church in Kent, with the Rev. Reid Hamilton officiating. Bissler and Sons Funeral Home and Crematory in Kent is handling arrangements.

Memorials may be made to Christ Episcopal Church, 118 S. Mantua St., Kent, 44240; WKSU-FM, 1613 E. Summit St., Kent, 44240; or the Area Agency on Aging, 1550 Corporate Woods Parkway, Uniontown, Ohio 44685.

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Posted at Ohio.com on Sun, Feb. 16, 2003

Dr. John C. Weiser

Dr. John C. Weiser, 81, of 319 Valleyview St., Kent, died Friday, Feb. 14, 2003, at Robinson Memorial Hospital. He was born Jan. 7, 1922 in St. Paul, Minn. to George C. and Irene A. Weiser. He attended Iron Mountain Michigan College, Northern Michigan University for two years, the University of Iowa earning his BA in 1948 and MA in 1949, and the Western Reserve University, where he earned his Ph.D. in 1961. He was an U.S. Marine serving in World War II in the South Pacific. In 1949 he was appointed Instructor of Speech and Radio at Kent State University and assisted in the formation of WKSU-FM. He was the coordinator of the Radio-TV academic program from 1975 until 1982. Dr. Weiser was a member of the Christ Episcopal Church in Kent and wrote a History of Christ Episcopal Church 1835-1985, and was inducted into the Akron Radio Hall of Fame in October of 1988.

He was awarded the Kent State University Presidents Medal in August of 1989. He also served on the Board of Trustee as County Representative of Area Agency on Aging 10B and was vice-president of Board. He served on the Governors Panel, Task Force on Funding of Public Education in Ohio September 2000.

Survivors include his wife, Lenora M. Weiser; sons, John David Weiser of Sacramento, Calif., Michael Allen (Opal) Weiser of Sacramento, Calif. and James Richard (Lisa) Weiser of Akron; two grandchildren; brother, G. Thomas (Joyce) Weiser of Vienna, Va.; and sister, Marilyn Peck of Rochester, Minn. He was preceded in death by his brother, F. Robert Weiser. There will be no calling hours. Memorial services will be held Thursday, 4 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church with Rev. Reid Hamilton officiating. Bissler & Sons Funeral Home and Crematory in Kent is handling the arrangements. Memorials may be made to Christ Episcopal Church, 118 South Mantua St., Kent, Ohio 44240; WKSU-FM, 1613 E. Summit St., Kent, Ohio 44240; or the Area Agency on Aging, 1550 Corporate Woods Pkwy, Uniontown, Ohio 44685. (Bissler & Sons Funeral Home, 330-673-5857.)

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Posted by the stater.kent.edu on Mon., Feb. 17, 2003

KSU broadcasting founder dies at 81 from cancer

John C. Weiser, one of the founders of both Kent State's broadcasting program and WKSU-FM, died Friday at Robinson Memorial Hospital after a seven-month battle with lung cancer. He was 81.

Weiser started teaching at Kent State in 1949 as an instructor in the School of Speech and continued schooling broadcast majors until 1982, when he retired as an emeritus professor.

Ben Whaley, assistant professor of journalism and mass communication, said Weiser was an important influence on local television and radio stations.

"If you want to see what he did, turn on the TV," Whaley said. "There isn't anyone in broadcasting in the Cleveland/Akron area that hasn't worked with him."

Whaley said ABC broadcaster Ted Henry congratulated Weiser on his retirement on the air in 1982. In 1988, Weiser was inducted into the Akron Radio Hall of Fame.

Weiser was teaching broadcast while it was in its infancy, Whaley said. A relatively new medium, many universities were not yet offering programs.

Whaley, who worked with Weiser for one year, said he was "quite literally smarter than anybody."

"Other than my father, he was the best man I have ever known," Whaley said. "He was a tremendous teacher and very dedicated."

Weiser's efforts were not limited to broadcasting. His wife, Lenora, said he strived to better the city of Kent as well.

"He loved Kent, so he never left," she said.

Weiser was active with the Meals on Wheels program and was a member of the Christ Episcopal Church.

Margaret Garmon, now an instructor of journalism and mass communication, was a student of Weiser's.

"He was a professor and mentor to me," she said. "He had a gruff voice, but he was very caring."

More recently, she served on the Kent Historical Society Board with him. Garmon said they teamed up in writing a history of Kent, in which Weiser focused on area churches.

A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday at the Christ Episcopal Church, at 118 S. Mantua St.

Donations in his name may be made to the church or the Agency of Aging, at 1550 Corporate Woods Parkway, Uniontown, Ohio.