Richard Reinauer

Richard Reinauer, veteran broadcaster 82, died December 6th. He was a radio and television pioneer and was best known for the 22 years spent as an Associate Producer/Director of Mutual of Omaha’s “Wild Kingdom” which starred Marlin Perkins.Mr. Reinauer’s long career began in the early days of radio as a child actor. One of his accomplishments was his talent for dialects. In later years that ability was useful as a story teller and as a superb joke teller.He served in the U.S. Marine War Dog Unit as a dog trainer and scout during WW II through the South Pacific and was one of the first of the U.S. troops along with his scout dog Rick, to set foot in Nagasaki shortly after it was hit by the Atomic Bomb. He attended the University of Illinois during which time he won the Phillip Morris Playhouse on Broadway award for the U of I and appeared with Paulette Goddard on CBS. After graduation, he was hired by NBC as the youngest radio director in their history. He won the Sylvester L. Weaver Award for the accomplishments in his work.His film career began with Fred Niles Productions directing commercials and documentaries. From there his career took him to the ad agency of Foote, Cone & Belding as a broadcast supervisor and film producer. In 1958 he was asked to join the American Medical Association as Director of Radio, Television and Motion Pictures.Mr. Reinauer was a charter member of the Chicago chapter of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, was a board member for over 20 years, served as President for 2 years and was the first Governor elected to the National Board of the TV Academy on which he served for 15 years. Known as a leader and innovator in his field, his career was capped in 1999 when he was elected a Life Member of the Television Academy and honored with a Silver Circle Award.At one point in his career, while still at the AMA, he was asked to become Executive Director of the Television Academy’s Foundation in Hollywood. During that time he was also able to use his theatrical talents and appeared on shows like “Perry Mason” with Raymond Burr, the “Red Skelton Show” and a series of radio shows with Robert Young.During his 22 years with “Wild Kingdom” he produced 300 shows and negotiated contracts for filming in foreign countries, including the first private film contract with the Soviet Union.He had a zest for life, a love of music and animals and his joy was his multitude of lifetime friends.Mr. Reinauer is survived by his wife, Kathryn Moffatt and twin daughters, Eve Flor and Regina Israel.

Richard Reinauer

April 28, 1926 - December 6, 2008

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Richard Reinauer

April 28, 1926 - December 6, 2008

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