Wisconsin Public Media Remembers Director Gene Purcell August 2, 2021
Wisconsin Public Media (WPM) is saddened by the death of Gene Purcell, director of the University of Wisconsin-Madison division that provides statewide access to public media through Wisconsin Public Radio (WPR) and PBS Wisconsin since 2018.
Purcell passed away Saturday from injuries suffered last week in a traffic crash in Madison. He was 61.
A longtime broadcaster and innovative leader in public broadcasting, Purcell had led WPM since 2018. In this role, Purcell steered WPM’s administrative transition to UW-Madison from the University of Wisconsin-Extension and led the state’s public media organizations through the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring uninterrupted service of essential news and information services and expanded educational resources for students, educators and families across Wisconsin.
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SAMARA KALK DERBY
Gene Purcell, a state public broadcasting leader, died Saturday as the result of a motorcycle crash. He was 61.
Madison Police on Monday reported a fatal motorcycle crash last Tuesday on the Beltline, which caused power outages from Todd Drive to Seminole Highway, but authorities wouldnât confirm it was Purcell.
âHe was smart and kind and selfless. And he loved deeply,â said Purcellâs wife, Ruth Purcell. âHe was passionate about broadcasting, about his family, about his interests.â
Ruth said she hasnât asked to learn a lot about the crash.
âIâm just not ready really to face that yet,â she said, noting that the police involved in the crash team are going to talk to her later this month.
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