Kenley Dean Squier
April 10, 1935 – November 15, 2023
November 16, 2023 | By Waterbury RoundaboutNov. 22: WDEV today shared that people wishing to send letters or cards of condolence to the Squier family may do so by mailing to the radio station. Be sure to note that on the envelope. Mail to: WDEV, P.O. Box 550, Waterbury, VT 05676, Attn: Squier family.
Nov. 17: We thank our friends at VTDigger and the Times Argus for sharing their stories about Ken Squier which we have posted in the Waterbury Roundabout News section with links to their sites as well.
The Squier family has not yet announced funeral or memorial arrangements.
Nov. 16, 5 p.m.: This post was updated with multiple tributes. Scroll down.
Kenley Dean “Ken” Squier, 1935-2023. WDEV photo
WDEV Radio Vermont shared the news this morning on the air and on social media at 6:45 a.m. that station patriarch, Kenley Dean Squier, has died. Squier was 88 years old.
“Our beloved Ken Squier passed away last night. We are all heartbroken over such a great loss for his family, his friends, employees at WDEV and you.”
The station invited followers to tune in at 9 a.m. to share their memories.
A giant figure in Waterbury, Vermont, and the worlds of radio broadcasting and car-racing, Squier’s impact and imprint is everywhere.
“Ken was bigger than life,” remarked lifelong local resident and Waterbury state Rep. Theresa Wood this morning.
Gov. Phil Scott, a longtime friend and admirer of Squier, issued this statement today:
“Today, we mourn the loss of a true Vermont legend and dear friend to me and so many others.
Much will be made in Vermont and across the country of the NASCAR Hall of Famer’s extraordinary contributions to racing – from his time in the booth at CBS, where he coined the phrase ‘The Great American Race’, to his founding of the ‘Nation’s Site of Excitement’ at Thunder Road in Barre. His impacts on the sport are too numerous to count, and he deserves every one of those recognitions and many more.
But for me, what I will remember most was his friendship and deep devotion to his community, which was the entire state. Ken was always looking for opportunities to give back and help those in need. He instilled those values as the backbone of Radio Vermont, which has been an essential part of the fabric of Vermont since its creation – always finding new ways to support more and more Vermonters.
I will always cherish the memories of all the time we spent together, and be thankful for his mentorship, humor, creativity and passion. From the booth, he often described those racing as ‘common men doing uncommon things.’ But in reality he was describing himself — because Ken was indeed a very common man who did extraordinary things.”
We will collect and share more on Squier’s life. Local journalist, author and friend to Squier, David Goodman, has begun a piece posted on VTDigger this morning which will be updated. The station’s 90th anniversary celebration and live broadcast in July 2021 was an occasion Squier particularly enjoyed. Below are some photos from that along with a few others from around town.
We invite our readers to contribute in the comment section below with any comments, remembrances, etc. that you might like to share. Please sign with your full name.
Click to enlarge images and read captions.
Reactions and tributes, anecdotes and memories pour in to honor Ken Squier
Compiled by Waterbury Roundabout correspondent Sandy Yusen As news of Ken Squier’s passing spread on Thursday, condolences poured in from all over Vermont, the motorsports world, the broadcasting world, and beyond. Friends, colleagues, fans, and community members shared heartfelt thoughts about Squier over the radio and social media, illustrating his many contributions and many people he touched over his lifetime.
WDEV opened its phone lines and devoted the morning talk-show timeslot to tributes to Squier. Later in the day, hosts played tunes on the air noting the artists Squier considered some his facvorites including Emmy Lou Harris, Rick and the Ramblers, and Bobby Bare.
Here is a sampling from the morning on-air conversation.
From Jim Douglas, former governor of Vermont, and frequent WDEV talk-show guest host:
“A sad day but a day to celebrate the life of an outstanding vermonter and a great guy…It was a privilege in 2007 to present Ken the Vermont Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Award at a dinner in his honor for his many contributions to our great state; one of many honors that he accrued over the course of a tremendous career and life…His reputation and reach was far beyond the borders of the Green Mountain state. He was a pioneer in broadcasting, especially motor racing. He’s really the guy who began the…gun to flag broadcasting of motor racing, because a lot of folks thought it would be boring…Ken made it exciting with his commentary, very vivid at times as we know. It became literally the most watched sport in the country. He’s the guy who thought of the idea of putting cameras in cars so you could get a driver's view of going around a track. He was just such an innovator…he was a visionary, he was energetic, he was committed to the Green Mountain state and he’s somebody whose legacy is going to be remembered for a very long time.”
From Tom Beardsley, former WDEV sales director:
“Ken was like his father in that he was a poet…I mean who could ever forget phrases like ‘put your teeth in a jar mother and grab your bonnet they’re coming around turn four’...and of course ‘the Great American Race’—he coined that phrase and it lives today.”
From WDEV employee Anson Tebbetts who went on to broadcast television and currently serves as Vermont’s Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets:
“Anything we did, we worked hard, we had fun. What an extraordinary life he had and the contributions to Vermont will be forever with us. We’ll think of him often and we’ll continue to bring what we learned on the knee of Ken Squier into work every day.”
From longtime Vermont journalist and former WDEV host Mark Johnson:
“He was a great man…the word legend I think is greatly overused these days but he certainly fit the bill…he was a second father so I’m grateful for all of the wisdom and mentorship and chop-busting that he did with me over the years. I loved him greatly.”
From WDEV Program Director Jack Donovan:
“He loved Waterbury; he loved Vermont. He was all over the parades during the summertime…He loved meeting with the community. He loved the car show each year. He just loved being out and he always would come back to his hometown Waterbury which he so dearly loved. As you know, he loved everything ‘live local, and relevant,’—those were the three things that I remember as far as broadcasting that’s for sure. But he has so many fans in both worlds; both the motor racing world and of course in broadcasting in particular here in Vermont. And he’ll be loved, he was loved, and will be loved by many for many many years.”
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“This is very sad. Ken was a national sportscaster but this was his home. If you enjoy NASCAR you can thank Ken for convincing CBS there was an audience for it and he became the 'voice of NASCAR' for many years.
But when he was home he was just Ken. The stars of NASCAR would come to town for events and praise him but he always seemed to want to move on from that quickly—he wanted them to be the stars of the show. The same was true when he was on the air with WDEV, we were the stars of the show.
He may have made auto racing national but he made sure his family owned radio station remained local, a true local, community station; that is a rarity in America today. We should also be thanking him for that today.”
-John Taylor
“Ken was one of those wonderful humans who did so much, for so many. He left everything he touched better. I was fortunate enough to share a beer and some stories with him on occasion. I learned a lot…”
-Joseph Wurtzbacher
“More than a legend, Ken was a true innovator and creator and supporter of real local radio. He will be missed by many, but will continue to inspire so many in this business.”
-Charlie Papillo
“I am so grateful for Ken’s generosity. He knew the value of having Axel’s Frame Shop downtown and for 30 years keep it affordable for us. And when we went to him with the idea of putting artwork on the building he not only encouraged it but he contributed his own ideas of what he thought would work. The Phoenix Rising has since been installed and will be a beacon for those of us that believe that great souls are reborn. We already miss him. RIP Ken.”
-Whitney Aldrich, Axel’s Frame Shop and Gallery owner
“To this day, he was the biggest influence on my broadcasting career. He was a daily mentor in the summer of 2005 when I called Vermont Mountaineers games. Taught me so much.”
-Scott Montesano
“Ken gave so much more back to his community than he ever took. We are all so much richer for what he gave us. Farewell friend. I will miss our conversations, though I never could keep track of all those race car drivers you would tell me about. What a wonderful life. You've given us all music to go to the dump by and so much more.”
-David Goodman, Waterbury journalist, author, radio host
“Ken will be long-remembered for so many things — but none greater than being good “neighbor.”
No doubt that he has been welcomed into that race track in the sky hearing “well done, good & faithful servant.”
-Lea Hatch
“The founding father of both Thunder Road and the American-Canadian Tour, the voice of several generations of motorsports fans, a multi-time Hall of Famer and simply the greatest of all time at every single thing that he did.
Stock car racing flourished and continues to this day because of Ken Squier.
Our thoughts are with the Squier family as well as all of those who’s life that he touched.
Rest easy Kenley.”
-Thunder Road International Speedbowl
“Nationally, Ken is probably best known as the guy who made NASCAR into big broadcasting business. He was super passionate about the spot, and a gifted announcer with his own special style.
But in Vermont, Ken is known best as the owner of WDEV and the Radio Vermont Group. WDEV is an institution in the state. A news-talk station that presents a VARIETY of views and opinions and super-serves the community. They don't make stations like WDEV anymore. Ken was hands on in every way at WDEV. He was the co-host of the wonderful "Music To Go To the Dump By", and he was well versed in every aspect of broadcasting. WDEV is an amazing station because Ken was an amazing guy.
The Radio Vermont group also owns WLVB, a very successful homegrown Country station, and the station I program, WCVT. WCVT had been a Classical station, and a damn good one, but when Vermont Public Radio put on their Classical network Ken's classical baby was doomed. But despite that he was SO supportive of my work, and that meant a LOT to me. When I got to WCVT I was like an abused dog after 13 years of working for one of the least pleasant people I've ever met. Ken made me feel good about my work again. It's a small thing I suppose, but like I said, it meant a lot to me.
Thanks Ken. Step on the gas and wipe that tear away.”
-Zeb Norris, 101.7 WCVT Classic Hits Vermont
“He was a great broadcaster, a great NASCAR announcer and an active supporter of the Vermont Symphony Orchestra. We had a lot of fun at the State House discussing competition between non-profit public broadcasting versus for-profit like WDEV, and funding for the VSO. He did a lot for Vermont and he will be missed. My condolences to his family.”
-Vincent Illuzzi
“Sad to hear this news this morning. He was an amazing boss. WDEV taught me so much as my first real job out of college. His infectious humor, knowledge of life and genuine perfect smile. Ken Squier will always have a special place in my heart…prayers to his family.”
-Joellen Demers
“Ken Squier was a master of entertainment and a man who cared deeply about all things Vermont. He turned WDEV into an iconic radio station, created one of America’s great stock car tracks, supported countless local events, and put smiles on tens of thousands of faces. His passing is a loss for American radio and for our state.”
-Gary Miller
“Just listening to Ken Squier was a master class in broadcasting, producing, race promoting, building relationships and more.
His advice and good counsel breathed life into the careers of many of us who tried to follow his footsteps. From Riverside Park to MRN, CBS, TNN, TBS and FOX, we shared a lot of airtime, and many good times.
I was always in awe of Ken... from his masterful turn of a phrase, to his business acumen running WDEV, two racetracks, Nascar North/ACT and World Sports. He was a true Vermont Original.
Someone yesterday turned one of Ken's phrases back on to him, writing: "Whatever race broadcasting is, Ken Squier was."
Sure, Ken Squier's words affirmed which driver was in what car. Moreso, he made us care about drivers as people, respect them as athletes, and look up to them as heroes.
“Ordinary men, accomplishing extraordinary feats of skill and daring”… indeed.
-Mike Joy
“Some of you know him from the movies ‘Rad,’ ‘Cannonball Run,’ ‘Stroker Ace,’ or ‘Toxic Avenger’ (yes, you read those right!). Some know him from NASCAR and CBS. Some, like myself, knew his voice before his face. Growing up he was a regular at our breakfast table, there while my father and I loaded recycling and garbage into the pickup for the weekend dump run, and with us in the cab for the trip. His long and storied career in radio, and ownership of WDEV put him in those places for many people. He has been a staunch supporter of Blackback Pub in many ways, and many other businesses over the years. Our communities are richer for his contributions, the cultural landscape here, and in many places wouldn’t be what they are without his efforts. Thank you Ken. Until the next time.”
-Blackback Pub
“I worked for Ken between 1991-96 at WDEV, writing and producing a short seasonal segment on fishing. He was more fun to be with than should have been legal. Long after I left WDEV, Ken and I would run into each other and we would spend hours trading stories.
He was an encyclopedia of tales about historic athletes. He once broke down the politics of the USOC during the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, voicing great disdain for the decision to pull Marty Glickman and Sam Stoller from the 100 meter relay. On another occasion, he held forth on an interview he did with Jim Thorpe (again, liberally sprinkled with editorial commentary).
He took such pleasure in telling stories and listening to others tell theirs. It's what I will miss about him most.”
-Peter Cammann
“Condolences to the WDEV family, all Vermonters and the motorsports world on the passing of Ken Squier. It is often said of a generation of Vermonters that "They Don't Make 'em Like That Anymore." Ken Squier was in that category but he was also one of a kind, a man who could call the Daytona 500 or a high school basketball game, play an outrageously whacky song on Music to Go to the Dump By, win the hearts of listeners (even while they were groaning), and dismantle the best-laid plans of anybody he interviewed and anybody who worked for him. And he nurtured and passed on a radio station and an approach to news and community unlike any other in America.”
-John Lazenby
“He may not be physically present anymore, but as long as race cars roar around Thunder Road, Daytona and every track in between... as long as radio stations like WDEV continue to make coverage of local news and events the number one priority he won't be far away. RIP Ken Squier.”
-George Commo