In Memoriam: Dick Skrinjar
June 7, 2025Most people who knew, or knew of Dick Skrinjar, likely remember him as being the “PennDOT guy” on the news. Mr. Skrinjar passed away Thursday at age 74.
A Point Park College graduate and a DJ for the school station – WPPJ – he was just 19 when he began to produce Jack Bogut’s morning show on KDKA Radio. Over the years since, Bogut has credited Skrinjar with contributions to the program such as finding an album by an English artist named Brian Protheroe on which was a rather obscure song called, “Kinotata”.
Between working at KDKA and eventually 20 years at PennDOT, Skrinjar worked at Channel 11. After PennDOT, he moved over to a less visible, but still important role as Director of Communications for the late Bob O’Connor during his very short term in office as Mayor of Pittsburgh. He then served as Director of Citiparks under Mayor Luke Ravenstahl. His latest role was Senior Justice Advocate for District Attorney Stephen Zappala.
Mr. Skrinjar was a family man who loved all sports and served his community as a church parishioner, coach and mentor.
I worked with Dick at WESA in Charleroi back in the early 70’shere we were both part-time DJ’s. I then ran into him again in the late 70’s when I was working for Motorola and installing two way radio gear in Channel 11’s new NEWS vehicles. Dick was a producer at channel 11. Rest in peace my friend!!