David Wilson Salisbury

David Wilson Salisbury, 86 Mr. WROK

David Wilson Salisbury, 86 of Rockford, died Tuesday, November 04, 2008 in his home. Retired Rockford radio executive, who during his long career earned the nickname Mr. WROK, was born December 9, 1921 in Rockford. The son of Fenwick Earl and Edna (Wilson) Salisbury. Graduate of Rockford High School, class of 1940. Dave joined the U.S. Navy in 1942. His WWII service included time in the South Pacific. He earned the rank of Petty Officer, First Class, and was awarded two Bronze Stars. After an honorable discharge in 1946, Dave returned to Rockford, where, on April 24 of that year, he married the love of his life, Betty Jane (BJ) Eichhorn. In 1946, he also began his long association with the Todd family, owners of Rockford Newspapers and radio stations WROK and WZOK FM. Hired as district manager in the Rockford Morning Star circulation department, Dave later became manager of the newspapers advertising dispatch department and worked in retail sales. Dave took his first steps down a new career path in 1958 when publisher Bill Todd sent him to WROK to head the ad sales department. In 1960, Dave returned to the newspaper as assistant national advertising direct or and later classified advertising manager. He again was sent to WROK/WZOK in 1962, but this time the move was permanent. He became general manager, a post eh would hold for 25 years. Among his achievements, he oversaw the move of the radio station from Rockford news tower in downtown Rockford to new facilities at 1100 Tamarack Lane in 1977, thanks to his leadership, WROK and WZOK were names Best Stations of the Year, by Broadcast Management/Engineering magazine, a leading national radio and TV trade publication. The competition included stations from around the country and even some from abroad. In 1976, the radio stations were purchased by Nolte communications. Vern Nolte, destined to be not only Daves boss but a mentor and close friend, became company president. Dave continued as general manager through 1987. In addition, in 1977, he was elected executive vice president of Nolte Communications. In 1985, he was elected company president, a post he held for three years. He then resumed his executive vice president role and also did consulting work for the company until his retirement in 1995. Among his honors, Dave in 1998 was names an honorary alumnus of Rockford college, where he was a member of the Board of counselors. Daves deep love for Rockford was evident in his long history of community service. He was general chairman of the Northern Illinois Junior College Committee, which worked to establish rock Valley College, and was founding board member of the Rockford Area Literacy Council. He also was a member of the boards of many other organizations, including the Illinois Childrens Home and Aid Society, American Red Cross, Junior Achievement of Rockford, Council of 100, Rockford Chamber of Commerce, Better Business bureau Salvation Army and the United Way. He was a 1964 delegate to the Republican State Convention and served on the Advisory Committee for U.S. Rep. John B. Anderson. He was a member of Rockford country Club, the University Club of Rockford, Masonic Lodge No. 166, Tebala Shrine Temple, Royal Order of Jesters and was a lifetime member of Court Street United Methodist Church. Summing up his career, Dave, in a 1995 story in the Rockford Register Star, said: I enjoyed it all. I had fun. And, certainly, Daves life was not all work and volunteer service. He had a host of friends with whom he loved to play golf and cards and tell jokes. He also loved a night on the town with BJ. His family includes his wife; three children, Stephen, Sali Ann (Mark) Raudabaugh and Stuart (Rose six grandchildren, Shawn, Collin and Taylor Salisbury, Mark Raudabaugh Jr, Matthew Raudabaugh and Ashley Salisbury; sister, Barbara Nicole. He is preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Charlotte and Jean.