final credits - warren henderson
A familiar voice on the Edmonton area radio news scene was silenced when Warren Henderson passed away on February 28th, 2006.
Henderson was the assistant news director for Edmonton's Corus family of radio stations that includes 630 CHED, Cool 880 - CHQT, 92.5 CKNG's Joe FM and 103.9 - CISN Country.
At left, Warren Henderson with wife Grace.
Prior to serving with Corus, the Dauphin, Manitoba native worked at CKRC in Winnipeg before moving to Edmonton in 1978. Henderson's father was general manager at the Dauphin station CKDM where his mom was a radio celebrity.
Henderson served on the national editorial committee of Broadcast News from 1992 to 1997 and as Prairie Radio Director for the Radio-Television News Directors Association in the mid-1990s.
Doug Rutherford, vice-president of news-talk radio for Corus Entertainment (and brother of CHED/CHQR talk show host Dave), said Henderson "personified class, professionalism, hard work and dedication."
Henderson's co-workers described him as "one of a kind - a mix of professionalism and humanity."
The 30-year radio veteran faced a battle with health problems in recent years and lost a leg to diabetes. He was on the waiting lists for both heart and kidney transplants.
Henderson enjoyed life to the fullest, combining a love for wheels (Corvettes and Harley Davidsons) with a love for music (the Beach Boys in particular).
He was also a fan of cinema. It was in that setting that Warren passed away, suffering heart failure while watching the Samuel L. Jackson movie "Freedomland" in an Edmonton theatre.
On the morning after Henderson died, legendary CHED newsman C.R. Nichols posted an on-air tribute to his fellow broadcaster. The tremor in C.R.'s voice reveals the bond he shared with his co-worker, a bond also shared with Henderson and his listeners.
Warren Henderson was 50 years old.
Other radio tributes can be found here.
Other Edmonton area tributes can be found here.