“Neal Spence, 12-50 and out”
May 25, 2023Fellow former WTAE Radio (1250) man Mark Roberts reports today:
“Neal Spence, WTAE Radio’s beloved ‘Sky Puppy’ has died after courageouslly battling a long and difficult illness. Spence, a Vietnam Veteran, left KQV and piloted the traffic airplaine for WTAE Radio and 96KX in the 1970s and 1980s. Neal lived in Palm Coast, FL and is survived by his wife, Jan.”
Not sure how someone gets paid to do something he loves -but wait, it is how radio was. Neal was the king of the air-and the airwaves when we worked together at WTAE and WHTX (85- 87). There was the day Keith Abrams did his WHTX show from Neal’s aircraft-and had to land several times when Keith had a bout of air sickness. There was the day Neal did an incredible play-by-play of several barges that broke from their moorings on one of Pittsburgh’s 3 rivers. There was -well, just Neal. A good guy all around. So sorry to hear of his passing. Condolences to his family and friends.
May he rest in peace.
I think of him whenever I’m on the Parkway East and it’s backed up around the Dolly Parton Bend…
What a class act RIP
Oh man. A Salute To You, Neal! I listened to you all the time on AM 1250 WTAE.
And I keep ALL Vietnam Veterans in my prayers daily.
Thank You For Your Service, Neal.
Sincerely, my man.
Sean McDowell
North Las Vegas
He made you enjoy traffic reports more than you ever thought you could. He became an engaging part of the entire schtick at ‘TAE back in the day. Rest in Peace, Sir, and thank you for your service.
Neil didn’t want anything to do with helicopters. He told me “if you have a problem they go straight down. but with a plane I could safely glide it into the river”. Neil was a great pilot. The only problem I remember him having was with the radio. He was truly one of the nice guys in the business. Keep your eye on the Dolly Parton Bend ! We kept in touch on the internet. Two months ago he said he was fighting cancer. A month later I emailed but never heard back & I had a sinking feeling. Neil Spence loved this country & he was a True Patriot. I had hope that he would be around to see America return to Greatness. I wasn’t to be. RIP my friend.
May fair winds follow the Great Gray Three-Winged Iron Merlman as she flies into the eternal sunshine…
Neal hated to be grounded by fog, and if it was a certain consistency, he’d fly anyway, telling me, “I can clear it with my propellor enough so I can see the traffic.” I worked with Neal 1981-1983 on the WTAE-AM morning shift with Alan Boal, and Bob Koppler was our boss. He was a good guy who really DID love his job.
I would occasionally drop by his ground command center at AGC. Then our paths crossed for that ill conceived all-traffic radio Paul B, devised. That was operated out of an office building near AGC. We tried to peddle it to KDKA. Neal led the charge.