Longtime Fairbanks broadcaster Lowell Purcell dies
Originally published Friday, August 1, 2008 at 7:09 p.m.
Updated Friday, August 1, 2008 at 11:46 p.m.
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FAIRBANKS — Longtime Fairbanks radio broadcaster Lowell Purcell was inducted into the Alaska Broadcasters Hall of Fame on Tuesday, two days before he died.
The award ceremony was originally slated to take place at a Goldpanners game at Growden Memorial Park, but the game was washed out by rain and by then Purcell had already been admitted to Providence Hospital in Anchorage.
So two of Purcell’s longtime friends, Dick Lobdel and Tom Bush, personally delivered the news and a commemorative pin to Purcell in his Anchorage hospital room.
Thursday night, five minutes before midnight, Purcell died surrounded by his wife, Leah, son, Robert, and daughter, Aleshia. He would have celebrated his 65th birthday on Friday.
For many years, from the mid-60s to the late 1980s, Purcell was the voice behind the microphone at Alaska Goldpanners games, bringing the game to life in words with his play-by-play repartee for those unable to be in the stands.
According to Goldpanners manager Don Dennis, Purcell continued announcing games sporadically until 2000.
“He just didn’t call what he saw on the field,” Dennis said. “He had a real knowledge and depth of the game and an historical perspective. He lived it from the time he was a young radio announcer, and he was very professional at his work.”
Born in Hawaii and raised in California, Purcell began his radio career at a young age at a Sacramento radio station, and as a 16-year-old resisted mightily when his father accepted a job in Fairbanks in 1960. But it wasn’t long before he started working at the first of several Fairbanks radio and TV stations where he would continue to put his broadcasting talents to work.
“He will be greatly missed. The world is a little less bright these days,” said longtime friend Peter Van Nort, who first met Purcell at KIAK radio in 1974.
Van Nort described Purcell as bright with a great sense of humor and a Type A personality.
“He was quirky at times. He was always looking for stimulation, and the next thing that came down the pike, he would throw all of his energy into.”
Throughout his life, Purcell battled health problems, but they didn’t slow him down much. He served on the Fairbanks City Council for a decade from the mid-80s-1990s.
Bob Eley, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner sports editor, also a council member during that time, remembers Purcell’s ability to work through difficult issues without making enemies.
“He was very friendly, and even if you were on the opposite side of an issue, he didn’t get you angry,” Eley said.
“He had a huge heart and a great sense of humor,” Eley added. “He cared a lot about Fairbanks and kids, and that is why he broadcast high school games: so kids could be recognized. He loved sports.”
Ever kinetic, Purcell pursued different employment from saleswork to managing a local school bus company, but he always came back to broadcasting, his first love.
Van Nort recalled several “typical Lowell moments” on and off the job that will never be forgotten.
The first occurred after KIAK had finished broadcasting the North American Sled Dog Race outdoors and were ferrying equipment back from checkpoints across a long, snowy stretch of Creamer’s Field.
“Lowell had both hands full carrying equipment and a cigarette hanging out of his mouth when his pants came loose and fell down around his ankles,” Van Nort said “It was probably 20-degrees, but he didn’t want to put the equipment in the snow. He just stood there.”
After the laughter died down, his workmates grabbed some of his equipment to allow Purcell to restore his dignity, Van Nort said.
Another love of Purcell’s was shooting fireworks, and he and Van Nort would drive down to Nenana before fireworks were available locally, buy some and set them off in a gravel pit.
“Lowell was not the sharpest dresser in the world,” Van Nort said, setting up the scenario. “He wore a lot of polyester.”
And it was a misfired, sparking, whirling dervish that attacked Purcell around the ankles in the gravel pit one night, melting and burning small holes in his polyester pants.
But Purcell paid it no mind.
“He went around for six or more months wearing those scarred pants,” Van Nort said with a laugh.
Purcell’s daughter, Aleshia, also relished her father’s outgoing, comedic personality.
“He was real quick witted,” she said, “and his sense of humor was so sarcastic and so funny. He loved people, and he had loyalty and compassion for his friends.”
Aleshia said her family is grateful for the community support shown for their father throughout the years, whenever he was having difficult health issues.
Plans are being made for a memorial celebration of Lowell Purcell’s life that will be published at a later date.
Contact staff writer Mary Beth Smetzer at 459-7546.
Community Discussion
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fI remember listening to him when I was a kid. He had a knack for covering sports. It is another sad day for Fairbanks.
RIP Lowell
Pat
Sad day indeed. I always missed listening to him.
God bless Lowell, I enjoyed knowing you.
I worked with Lowell at Growden and at KINQ (Ed Parsons' station) with Steve Agbaba. I worked also with his brother Bob at KIAK. Lowell was a professional through and through. He was as opinionated as any good Fairbanksan should be. And he was always friendly no mattter the issue up for discussion.
I will miss him.
We're losing the old Fairbanks crew.
I listened to Lowell for years on the radio. He, and Bill Walley, and Steve Agbaba, entertained me no end.
I remember those goofy campaign ads, where Lowell's head appeared out of various potholes. High tech for it's day. Won him the election, too.
I'd heard how bad his health was. But still active, collecting music and sports cards.
RIP
Fairbanks has lost a good man.
Is he any relation to Jackie Purcell who does the news in Anchorage?
RIP Lowell, growing up with you and your family was a valuable memory. My thoughts and prayers are with your family in this time of sorrow.
No, I don't think he is related to Jackie. i had a chance to work with her in Anchorage, also. She is a total sweetheart. She is prettier in person and even nicer than she appears on TV.
wow... he will surely be missed.
The legends are coming to an end way to soon. Remember Alaskans don't go to Heaven, they are already there.
No matter our disagreements on other issues, I am very happy to know we all share the same sentiments concerning our friend, Mr. Purcell.
Thank you, sir, for you contributions. May you rest with the angels.
RIP
A great, one of a kind, man!
I knew Lowell for decades, in many capacities. He was a true mensch (Jewish term for a person of integrity and honor). He loved his family and cared deeply about our town. He often neglected his own interests to advance the well-being of our City.
Lowell was a man who would drop everything to help someone in need. Did not matter if you were friend or foe on the political front, where we usually did not agree. So what?
He loved sports and could tell you things about a baseball or basketball game that you would never otherwise perceive. He was witty, quick to point out his own errors, and always kind to point out yours mistakes.
He stopped by our yard sale two weeks ago. He was in a motorized wheel chair, looking very thin and frail. Hard to understand his speech and I was not sure who it was until he called out, "Hey Pat, how you doing?"
He sent me an email a few days later, telling me and his friends that he did not have long to live, but that he had, "enjoyed the ride."
I will miss him greatly. We went through rehab together at FMH in the mid 1990's after we both had heart problems. Wish he would have quit smoking years ago.
Patrick Cole
A wonderful soul who I had much respect for.
Gonna be missed, but it pained me to see him in his final years after his surgery.
Not being able to hear "The Voice" clearly.
Mr. Purcell....take your rest in that big Broadcast Booth on High. You've earned it.
I remember seeing lowell at the panner games as a kid in the 70's he always had a funny word or 2 for us kids. He was a great man and a excellent broadcaster who will be missed greatly here in fairbanks. My condolences to his family.
Lowell was one of the most wonderful people I have ever met. I am sorry to lose him. Rest in Peace Lowell and say Hi to Bill for me.
Judy
Lowell will be greatly missed; he touched the lives of many Alaskans, especially in the sports communities. Thanks for the memories, Lowell!!
Your support at Monroe & UAF basketball games will be remembered.
George T. Roderick
Lowell was the first person that greeted me in August of 1984. I had just accepted a position with KCBF Radio and had moved from Michigan.
It was 43 degrees with rain and snow. I will miss him.
Fellow sportscaster/Bruce Cech
Lowell Purcell took a rookie who happened to have a voice that worked well over a PA system and offered his guidance and friendship. He was always there when I had questions, would buy lunch, and share stories that told lessons valuable to getting the job done. He taught me "more is less" and "use your voice to paint a picture". I will miss him and his e-mails and his always ready smile.
Via Con Dios, Lowell.
Gonzo
I knew Lowell during the 1960's as a friend and co worker.
I worked with him at Alaska Overland as a school bus driver and as
a transit bus driver. We also served in the national guard together
in fairbanks. Ivery much enjoyed his wit and personality...
He will be missed by all who knew him.
John Coty
I would like to thank the community of Fairbanks for their generous support of my father throughout the years. He truly loved Fairbanks & all those around him. He always spoke highly of everyone, and I know he will miss you all.
Thank you so much Fairbanks.
Aleshia Purcell
Aleshia, I hope you and your family are comforted by all the warm regards and support from so many in our wonderful city. Your Father was a true gem, and someone that will be remembered forever in the history of Fairbanks. Thinking of you during this time.
John Greene
Though I mostly knew him only indirectly through my brothers and the radio, I always loved Lowell's quirky sense of humor. As someone said above, he had to be the only guy who ever ran for office with a commercial that showed him coming out of the sewer with a manhole cover on his head. And all to the soundtrack of Dont Worry, Be Happy! Nothing Cal Worthington or Mike Gravel has ever done can top that for imaginative goofiness! I dont know if that commercial was saved by anyone, but Lowell's bit would be great youtube material.
Even after the Goldpanners were no longer on the radio, and he was announcing just at Growden, my kids and I always laughed as his evergreen quip "That's once..", when an errant foul ball came too close to the press box. And he said it virtually every game he ever did.
I feel bad that the Lowell Purcell Appreciation Night which the Goldpanners had scheduled to be held this past Monday or Tuesday was rained out, and I hope it wasn't too much of a disappointment for Lowell and his family. (As Agbaga used to say, "Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes you get rained out.") But I hope we can do something at the park next summer to show Aleshia and the family what he meant to our little town.
Lowell and I worked together at KIAK. To everyone's benefit he used his humorous approach on most of the things that he did. We worked on the air together, did live remotes, production, and outside sales.
I had a client, a hardware store, that wanted to list some of the unique tools that they offered. I submitted my copy notes and the copywriters wrote the copy. The production of that spot (commercial) was assigned to Lowell. One of the tools listed was a "Small Rabbit Plane", a tool used for scraping or shaving material. There was an error in the typed copy. It was listed as a "Small Rabbit Plune". Lowell finished the production and it made it on the air. It was pulled and Lowell produced it again after we had a few calls. He came to me and asked me what it was supposed to be. He wrote that down, but he did not know what a Small Rabbit Plane was. I went to my client and bought a Small Rabbit Plane, took it to the local trophy shop to have it mounted on a plaque with the inscription "Small Rabbit Plane". I presented that to him at one of our meetings or it may have been the annual Christmas party.
Lowell was a great friend. He came to our Christmas Eve party at our house for decades.
I am pleased that my friends Dick Lobdell and Tom Bush were able to spend some time with Lowell at the hospital to advise him of his induction into the Alaska Broadcasters Hall of Fame. I know it would be important to Lowell to know about that.
Steve Thompson
I knew Lowell for nearly 30 years and always appreciated his dedication to his work and his family and his great wit and sense of humor. But most of all, I appreciated his friendship. A great many people will miss him. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
We are grateful for Lowell's help at HIPOW. He and Fr. Pepin announced the items for the oral auction together for years. God bless his family. RIP friend.
Back in the mid-70's, KFAR radio and TV (before they were forced to separate) was like a family. Christmas parties, dinners, and other get togethers. Bill Walley, Lowell Purcell, Charlie Sandberg, Jerry Fears, "Lee Russell", Larry Lake, Steve Agbaba, even Cathy Harms (for a short while), and probably a few more I'm forgetting. I remember going to Las Vegas with Lowell and then-wife Mickie in 1975 for the Jerry Lewis pre-telethon convention. We had fun.
Lowell was always thoughtful toward others.
I enjoyed hearing him do the Panner's games over the years.
My condolences to his family.
I want to thank everyone for the kindness and warm wishes that you have shown and given to our family! Thank you Lowell for everything you have done for me, Aleshia, Robert, and the rest of the family! We will miss you!
It is about time that Lowell has completed "the trip"....as he used to say at the end of each broadcast for the Panners and Nicks games....
"This is Lowell Purcell rounding 3rd and heading for home!"
Lowell just would not go away. Lowell was allways there to fill in to anything on the air or around the station. KFRB, now history was his real begining. I did so want him to go to college to complete his education as we all saw a real potentual in Lowell. Glad to say he didn't listen and went on to be so much more as did staff member Bill Walley, Buck Emery, big John and so many others as Chuck Wenger the greatest Morning man and the fed from KBYR as Ruben Gains, Ed Stevens. Unfortunatly Steve Agbaba was too early for Talk Radio, he was talk radio. To give you an idea, Lowell was still sending me CD's of music we loved... music you sing, hum etc.
Lowell we'll miss you and God bless your family.
Dick & Patti Garvin
KBYR GM 1956-62
I’ll never forget the day the new “boss” from Anchorage was visiting and witnessed Lowell and I “going at it” at the radio station. He insulted my crazy outfit, I commented on how he looked like he just rolled out of bed, “lose your iron, Lowell?” I said. The dry wit was literally running rampant. Afterwards the “boss” said to me that he was not going to let him get away with talking to me like that. I had to explain to him, in between the uncontrollable laughter, that we’d known each other for nearly 20 years, it was normal, and if Lowell didn’t take time to insult you, well, you just weren’t loved! After seeing Lowell interact with a few others, and hearing all the quick wit and come-backs, he finally caught on. I learned a lot from Lowell in the 30 years I knew him. It was an honor to have worked with a true Radio Pro. Joey, Alicia, Bobby and all you kids, I wish I could be there but my thoughts and prayers are with you. God Bless you and know your Dad is having a good time up there with all his Radio Buddys!
Su LaSalle in Fair Haven, NY
It's hard to see friends go, and in reading all of these comments listed, one can see why Lowell's passing will leave a sorrowfull mark in fairbanks!
Who didn't like or laugh with Lowell? Magic tricks, jokes, quick wit and the perfect radio voice, one can say Lowell was quite the entertainer. In fact, I still get tons of laughter from my impersonation of Lowell! A great example of Lowell's warmth is all the media and music CD's I receive constantly in the mail and e-mail from him! I think I have enough swing and oldies music now Lowell! lol
Home shopping network will never be the same.
Seriously though, my heart goes out to Aleshia, Robert, Aaron and the rest of his family. God bless you
bobk
Mr. Purcell will be greatly missed. I enjoyed his baseball commentary and he certainly rekindeled my childhood passion of the game. Thank you Mr. Purcell for the many 'Panner's games and a "pure" love of the sport of babseball that I hope to pass on to my children. God Bless you sir.
The community of Fairbanks has truly lost a legend...because of him I grew to love baseball as a sport.
Although I cannot be there in person my warmest wishes and regards go out to Joe, Aleshia, Aaron, Robert and the rest of the family.
Rest in Peace Lowell, you will be truly missed.
The worst thing about growing old is not the diminished eyesight, or the aches and pains--it's having to say 'good-bye' to those family members who nurtured us and loved us, and also, having to say 'good-bye' to the many friends we met along life's journey.
Such a friend was Lowell Purcell--who I first met at KXOA Radio, Sacramento, in 1958. We were mere teen-agers back then...cutting our teeth in broadcasting while working for 'free' as 'gophers.' When Murry Stapp, the 'third musketeer,' e-mailed me about Lowell's passing, I was stunned. All three of us were within a year of each other. All three of us pursued broadcasting, but it was Lowell who stuck with it. He was born to be a broadcaster. It was in his bones.
You can take the boy out of radio, but you can't take radio out of the boy. While Murry and I pursued other callings (Murry, a distinguished career with the Sacramento County Sheriff's Dept. and I as a former manager of The Beach Boys and Nashville recording studio owner) it was Lowell who made broadcasting his life's focus. I can tell from the messages of 'thanks' and those who cited his humor and passion for radio, that Lowell found his true 'calling.'
I have often thought of those early days at KXOA Radio--and the bond the three of us forged. I will always be grateful for the friendship and fellowship I had with Lowell (and Murry) and wish his family the very best as they struggle with his passing. He will be missed.
RIP, Lowell. You led a great life. You deserve a good rest.
Fred Vail
Nashville, TN
LP's Record Rack -1943-2008
Lowell Purcell....doer of great things. Lowell was my friend, my teenage best buddy, my lost contact. Lowell Purcell passed away in Anchorage Alaska after a remarkable life. He was a star athlete In Sacramento, California at La Sierra High School, star of the swimming team and master of the' butterfly'. Lowell and I answered telephone requests at KXOA when 'rock-n-roll' was still wobbling on its new legs. Lowell's folk's moved to Alaska during our senior year in High School. I joined the Army in 1961 and we lost each other until 2007. I was right where I was in Sacramento, Lowell still in Fairbanks. Lowell was a well known Fairbanks celebrity. He broadcast Alaska Gold-panner's games. He broadcast high school sports. He was a disc jockey on more than one radio station. He was the official voice of the International Sled Dog races from the Helicopter. He was a father, a provider. He served on the Fairbanks City Council. He left Alaska to care for his ailing mother in Oregon and while there suffered a life changing, debilitating stroke that left him in a wheelchair, partially paralyzed and a voice that did not know if it remembered how to talk, but Lowell Purcell always maintained his sense of decency, his humor, his love of family and friends. Lowell's hobby was collecting friends. He was blessed with more than most folk. I don't think I ever heard Lowell say anything bad about anyone. Granted he had an unusual sense of humor and loved the dark side of comedy, but it was not ever vicious. Lowell spent his final year exchanging CD compilations with friends. His joy was music and production. Lowell was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer just a couple of week ago. He never complained about it, just said that for the first time in his life, he was really scared. We talked by phone during his last week. He never stopped loving life and Alaska, or radio or music or his children or his siblings or his friends and family. He was inducted into the Alaska Broadcasters Hall of Fame just two days before he went to broadcast from beyond. To his children, his siblings, his wife and all of his many collected friends, I can tell you all he will not be forgotten. There was only one Lowell Purcell. He will always be my friend. Rest in peace Lowell, you're on in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.....
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