The WBA Hall of Famer known as “Mr. Radio” in Reedsburg, Tommy Lee Bychinski, died Monday. He was 79.
Bychinski had a 44-year career in radio built on a strong foundation of community service and involvement. He was inducted into the WBA Hall of Fame in 2009.
After attending Brown Institute, Bychinski began his career in 1964 at WIGM radio in Medford and after two years began his 33-year run with Goetz Broadcasting. For Goetz he served in Marshfield at WDLB as a sports announcer and air personality from 1966-72 and then moved to their stations in Reedsburg, WRDB/WNFM, as an account executive. In 1979 he became station manager and led the stations, even after Goetz Broadcasting was disbanded, until his retirement in 2008.
Throughout his career Bychinski dedicated himself to community service and industry service. He served the Chamber of Commerce, local school district, the city council, the county board, the volunteer fire department, his church and the Knights of Columbus, all in the Reedsburg area.
He served eight years on the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Board of Directors and was Chairman of the WBA Board in 1999.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Reedsburg on Dec. 22 at 11 a.m. Visitation will be held Dec. 21 from 1–4 p.m. at Farber Funeral Home and on the day of the funeral from 9:45 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. at the church before the service. Memorials of remembrance may be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Reedsburg, in lieu of flowers.