I wanted to pass along notice of the sudden passing of Ed Schumacher who owned and managed WTUZ(FM) 99.9 “Z-Country” radio in Uhrichsville, Ohio, serving Tuscarawas County, Ohio. Ed was diagnosed with colorectal cancer about six months ago and it progressed quickly. He died on March 20.
I met and worked with Ed when I started in radio at WJER(AM/FM) in Dover, Ohio, at 17 years old. That was 32 years ago. He was truly a radio pro and a caring individual. He’ll be greatly missed by many, but his spirit also lives on through WTUZ and his community involvement.
Ed started his career at WOMP(AM/FM) in Bellaire, Ohio, then went to WNPQ(FM) in New Philadelphia, Ohio, before WJER and finally owning WTUZ.��
Ed applied for an FM frequency in 1989 and signed his station on from his house in 1990. He was a life-long radio broadcaster who had always dreamed of owning his own station. He was very well respected for his community involvement and saluted for being a “great local radio owner.”
Ed had worked for his competition, WJER, prior to starting WTUZ radio in 1990. Through his leadership, WTUZ won many awards including AP national awards for news and community programming. See here.
Ed’s obituary says, “Ed’s family would like to remind everyone that March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and, if you are over 50 years old, please get tested. Thank you.” It notes that, true to his radio pro nature, his body will be cremated and his ashes spread out over WTUZ’s transmitter site.
The obituary notes that Fr. Jeff Coning will celebrate Ed’s funeral Mass Monday, March 25, at 10:30 a.m., in Sacred Heart Church in New Philadelphia. Following the Mass, there will be a luncheon in the Toland-Herzig Monarch Center in Dover.
Here can be found some very thoughtful remembrances of Ed by those who knew him at WTUZ.
His former employer and later competitor, WJER, notes Ed’s passing in “Area Media Great Dies at Age 60.”
