Rick Wachtel, 71, of Martinsburg, passed away on Thursday, June 15, 2017 at the Penn State Health Medical Center. He was born on January 29, 1946 to William and Jean Wachtel also of Martinsburg. Rick is survived by his wife, Sandra, brother, Gregg, his children, Jonathan and Clair, and was anxiously awaiting the arrival of his grandson, Sutton.
Rick graduated from Martinsburg High School in 1963 and Shepherd College in 1968. With a degree in business, he worked at General Motors in Martinsburg for 8 years. In 1976, Rick co-founded WRNR-AM 740 radio station which came to be TalkRadio WRNR. Rick served as President and General Manager of WRNR for 40 years. He was a licensed realtor in WV for 35 years and a certified National Football League agent for 4 years. Rick coached youth league football for 30 years and was the public address announcer at Martinsburg High School football games for 34 years.
He was a Member (and past Martinsburg Chairman and West Virginia State Director) of the Jaycees from 1967-1971; Martinsburg City Councilman from 1972-1996; Member of the Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport Authority for 35 years and Chairman for the last 29 years; Member (and past Chairman) of the West Virginia Aeronautics Commission for 26 years; on the Board of Directors of Martinsburg/Berkeley County Chamber of Commerce; former Member and Vice President of the Shepherd University Alumni Association; and, most recently became a volunteer Athletics Advocate for Shepherd University.
His awards include: Distinguished Service and Giessenbier Award by the Jaycees (1971), Citizen of the Year in Berkeley County by Martinsburg Chamber of Commerce (2002), Lifetime Achievement Award in Broadcasting from the Associated Press (2004), Businessman of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce (2010), Mel Burka Distinguished Broadcaster Award from the WV Broadcasters Association (2012), Top 25 Most Influential People in the Eastern Panhandle (2014) and various others. He was inducted into the Martinsburg High School Athletic Hall of Fame (Supporter, 2009) and West Virginia Broadcasting Hall of Fame (2012).
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Rick Wachtel Scholarship Fund at Shepherd University Foundation, Box 5000, Shepherdstown, WV 25443.
The family will receive friends at both Brown Funeral Home South Berkeley Chapel from 2-4p.m. and 6-8p.m. on Thursday, June 22 and Shepherd University Wellness Center, 164 University Dr, Shepherdstown, WV from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Friday, June 23.

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