former WAMU host dies less than a month after retirement
Red Shipley, former host of the WAMU 88.5 show "Stained Glass Bluegrass," died of cancer Saturday, according to a WAMU press release.
Shipley's career in the radio industry spanned over 50 years. He retired from hosting "Stained Glass Bluegrass" following the show's final broadcast Sept. 16, according to the press release.
Shipley was an amazing broadcaster, said WAMU General Manager Caryn Mathes.
"I am just so grateful that we had the opportunity to have someone of his caliber on our airwaves for 25 years," she said. "He had a special quality of warmth that came through the radio. I am so honored that we had him for a quarter of a century."
Shipley is survived by four children and three grandchildren, according to the press release.
Shipley's funeral will be held 2 p.m. Friday at Preddy's Funeral Home in Gordonsville, Va. People can call a WAMU-sponsored tribute line, 202-885-8827, to leave remembrance statements about Shipley, which the station will later deliver to Shipley's family, according to the press release.
-KIM SELMAN
