I thought I would let my friends and family know I have formally applied for retirement. I asked H&R to draw up papers for a June 1 out date..and have fomally notified my News Vice President I will retire then. February marked my 46th year in broadcasting and May 8 will mark 38 years at NBC5. I will stop and smell the roses as they say. I have made no plans so don'’t ask what I plan to do. The quickest answer is “nothing.”
I hope to take some time off to wind down and then consider any new opportunities. And if there are no new opportunities thats ok too.
Imagine doing nothing after a lifetime of work which began with a shoeshine stand at Daniel Boone’s restaurant in Evansville, Indiana.
I can’t imagine it.
There will be time for sentimentality later. Right now I just wanted all of you to know that after considering this for 8 years I have set the date.
Dick Kay Snodgrass
After 46 years at anything, let alone broadcasting, he deserves to do “nothing”. I say good luck to you Dick, where ever you are.
Comment by Rob 4-Oh Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 9:29 am
Man, they guy’s been the political reporter on Channel 5 all of my life. I’m still missing Steve Neal’s writing…will certainly miss Dick Kay. Hope he enjoys retirement, and comes around as resident expert from time to time.
Does anyone know who this leaves as Dean of Chicago political reporters? I suspect Andy Shaw’s been at it a little longer than Flannery.
Comment by SenorAnon. Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 9:33 am
Dick always has good political insight into things, and a great sunday morning spot. I’m sure he’ll be missed by anyone that watches politics.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 9:46 am
I remember back in the 1990s, before electronic filing, when you had to go to the Thompson Center or the Board of Election’s offices in Springfield to see the disclosure reports, filing out D-3 forms in triplicate to get them. And the reporter I remember seeing most often was Dick Kay, plowing through stacks of microfiche. The guy knows how to dig, he knows the material and he takes it seriously. Yeah, he’s earned it but he’ll be sorely missed.
Comment by David @ ilcampaign Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 9:59 am
He’s always an amazing watch. I wish him a great retirement that does not include him posing for Playgirl.
Comment by Salcoratti Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 10:00 am
Also, what’s up with Snodgrass?
Comment by Salcoratti Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 10:01 am
That’s his real name.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 10:02 am
I didn’t know his last name was Snodgrass? I assumed it was Kay. I always appreciated his commentary and political insight. I will be sorry to see him go.
I will bet though, that after a year or two off, Dick will be chomping at the bit to be involved in some type of activity that deals with state or local politics.
It is in his blood.
Comment by Beowulf Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 10:04 am
Like I said, I’ve been watching him for years. What most viewers don’t know is that he alwys wears tennis shoes with his suits, so he can get around faster. You never see that on TV, though, because the camera only shows him waist-up.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 10:08 am
I’ve known and worked with Dick since the 1968 Presidential campaign. Not always agreed with him (… change that to not usually agreed with him …) but always respected him. He deserves an enjoyable retirement
Comment by Ed Murnane Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 10:15 am
Doogie we hardly knew ye. Who’s going to yell “Hell that ain’t no story.” in the back of news conferences now?
Someone ought to get Paul Meinke to post the limerick he wrote about Doogie when he retired as head of the broadcasters union. Hilarious!
On June 1, I intend to wear a black arm band and the Hey Dick #@$% You Too T-shirt we all purchased with Doogie in Boston at the Dem Convention. (It was a Cheney shirt, but works both ways)
Comment by Pete Giangreco Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 10:40 am
Snodgrass is a good southern IL/IN name, like Clodfelter.
Nice to see a local boy make good. No wonder he was so sensible!
I’d be curious to know where that restaurant was in E-ville……
Comment by Pat Collins Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 10:45 am
It’s a shame he didn’t make his retirement effective at the end of the year. It just won’t be election night in Chicago without his commentary.
Comment by grand old partisan Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 11:00 am
Did Dick Kay briefly work for Harold Washington, or is my memory making things up?
Comment by I & M Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 11:23 am
I’ll miss him. John Drummond, Len O’Conner… miss ‘em all… but you know, with all due respect, I hope to see a younger crowd take over.
I feel that’s ok to say as an aging boomber myself.
He should consider a blog though.
Comment by Bill Baar Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 11:28 am
BTW, how did he ever get that nickname, “Doogie”?
Comment by Same as the old boss Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 12:06 pm
Mr. Kay has announced his retirement more times than George Foreman. I can remember the tear-filled Nov. 04 broadcast when he said it was his last election. Sounds like it’s permanent this time though.
Wonder who Ch. 5 will get to replace him. Might they try to steal Andy Shaw’s heir-apparent, Ben Bradley?
Or maybe Carlos Hernandez-Gomez, new of CLTV?
Comment by Anon Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 12:20 pm
Not often I agree with Giangreco, either.
Comment by Ed Murnane Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 12:54 pm
If we are revealing the real surnames of these folks, with Kay being Snodgrass, would it be appropriate to inform others that Andy Shaw’s real last name is Shapiro?
I assume Flannery is really Flannery.
If I am giving away highly-classified information, go ahead and delete this post with my apologies.
On a seperate note, Mr. Murnane, it is a great honor to see you here. I am an admirer of your career.
Comment by Establishment Republican Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 1:17 pm
He got the nickname “Doogie” because he claims to be the inspiration for the TV show Doogie Howser. He claims to have been a boy genius.
Comment by Snodgrass Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 1:42 pm
I first met Dick when we were both covering the Walker administration. Later
on in another life while working for the Gaslight club on Huron I booked his band for a big party celebrating the media. A smoky kitchen fire forcing hundreds out onto the Huron temporally halted the bash…but Dick’s ‘country’ band didn’t stop playing …we moved the refreshments outside. All including the firemen enjoyed his music.
Longfellow had he known him might of intended his words for Dick…
The heights by great men reached and kept
Were not attained by sudden flight,
But they, while their companions slept,
Were toiling upward in flight.
Thanks for the memories Dick.
Comment by Thom Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 2:18 pm
I can’t think of a more appropriate photo to memorialize Dick Kay than the one you posted here. I didn’t always agree with Mr. Kay’s “analysis” - but he has my respect.
Comment by Tom DeLay's Mom Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 2:39 pm
Thank God Dick Kay is retiring, he was an arrogant buffoon.
Comment by Anon Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 5:34 pm
First Steve Neal now Dick Kay. All the good ones are departing one way or another. The game is changing. The key is to know when to fold them. Good luck to a good union man, Dick Kay.
Comment by Pete Granata Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 8:55 pm
Should we start the over/under on whether Dick actually does it? I’ll take the over and predict we will see Dick on set on election nite in November.
Dick will alway be part of the era of editors and news directors who gave the time and/ot space to tell the story from beginning to end and reporters who knew how to use it.
Doogie try to let the bean counters let you come to Springfield a few times before the gavel drops nexxt month.
Comment by Steve Brown Friday, Mar 3, 06 @ 9:16 pm
I am overwhelmed by all these positive comments and good wishes. For the person who asked it was Daniel Boone’s Cafe in Evansville. It was always my blue collar ethic that kept my head level. For the real name..a program director made me change from Snodgrass my first day on the air so I took my wife’s name. “Doogie” was the nickname of my cousin..a hard bitten old tank sergeant in Korea. When I told stories of him my colleagues stuck me with the name. Scott Goldstein was a writer here then a producer on Doogie Hauser. He told friends he took the name from me. Yes..I really will retire..and yes I will miss it terribly. I will take every opportunity to stay involved.
Comment by Doogie Monday, Mar 6, 06 @ 5:46 pm