Indiana Broadcast History Archive

Richard (Dick) Florea had a distinguished 48-year career in broadcasting, spanning both radio and television. His career began in the early 1950s at WMRI radio in Marion, Indiana, while he was a high school student. His career later expanded to television at WKJG (then NBC33) in Fort Wayne, where he spent 35 years as both a news anchor and news director.  

At WKJG, Florea covered numerous significant historical events that shaped both the region and the nation, including the assassination of Robert Kennedy, the March on Washington, and the blizzard of 1978. As news director and anchor, he became the voice of Fort Wayne’s first television news source. 

Throughout his long career, Florea demonstrated consistent dedication to local journalism, serving WKJG and the Fort Wayne community with professionalism and integrity. His work earned him recognition within the industry, including several awards and his induction into the Indiana Journalism Hall of Fame in 2015. 

Grace Marocco interviewed Dick Florea for the IBHA Oral History Collection in 2024.

Early Life 

Dick Florea was born on May 22, 1937, in New York City. From a young age, he showed a strong interest in newspapers, a habit encouraged by his mother, Gertrude Watson-Florea. 

His family, originally from Indiana, moved to Columbus, Ohio, then to Cincinnati, before finally settling in Marion, Indiana, when he was in seventh grade. His father, Edward Florea, served in the U.S. Army during World War II and later worked as the vice-president of the Kroger Company in Cincinnati. 

Florea’s broadcasting career began at Marion High School, where he became involved with local radio station WMRI. He started with what he called “minimal tasks,” such as mowing the lawn and assisting behind the scenes. In 1952, he was hired for summer work as an announcer and board operator. By his senior year, he was reading the weekday 6:00 p.m. news on-air. 

College and Early Career 

Encouraged by his teachers and his Yale-graduate father, Florea entered Purdue University with the intention of becoming an engineer. By his junior year, he realized his interests lay elsewhere and switched to management courses, graduating in 1959 with a degree in industrial management. 

During his time at Purdue, Florea remained active broadcasting. He secured one 

of the few paid student announcer/producer positions at the university’s radio station, WBAA. At WBAA, he regularly hosted news and classical music programs. In addition to his work at WBAA, Florea also contributed to the Purdue Television Unit, including announcing halftime shows for Purdue basketball games on WTTV. 

In the summer of 1958, Florea had the opportunity to work at WLW-T in Cincinnati, one of the leading television stations in the Midwest. There, he worked as a production assistant, doing newscasts and live musical shows. 

After graduating, Florea returned to WMRI in Marion, where he worked as a news anchor, disc jockey, and sports reporter. He also served as the station’s program director. After a brief six-month active duty in the Army in 1960, he returned to WMRI, then moved on to help launch WTAF-TV in Marion as news director and assistant manager, producing two daily newscasts. 

WKJG-TV 

Florea joined WKJG-TV in Fort Wayne in February 1966 as a reporter and anchor for the 11 p.m. newscast. By 1970, he had become news director while continuing to anchor both the 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. shows. As the news team expanded, Florea shifted to focus solely on the 6 p.m. newscast and the midday public affairs program “Editor’s Desk.” 

In the late 1980s, a new news director was hired, but Florea continued his on-air work, hosting “Editor’s Desk” and “Our Town,” shows about community issues and people making a difference. One of the most memorable moments in Florea’s career came when he had the opportunity to interview Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 

Florea’s career spanned 35 years, and of that, he only took one sick day. He retired in 2001 but returned briefly to WKJG in 2002 to produce a public affairs project. His work left a lasting impact on the station and the Fort Wayne community. 

Community Involvement

Beyond journalism, Florea dedicated countless hours to philanthropic work. After losing his first wife, Phyllis, to Alzheimer’s disease, he served on the Advisory Board of the Alzheimer’s Association for three years and led a support group for 13 years. 

He also served as President of the Allen County Fort Wayne Historical Society and Historic Fort Wayne, each for three years. And he deeply involved with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Fort Wayne, serving as president for nine years and a board member for over two decades. 

His contributions didn’t stop there. Florea served as President of the Quest Club, spent six years on the board of the Embassy Theatre Foundation, and was a key figure in the Three Rivers Festival for 20 years. At First Presbyterian Church, he held leadership roles as both Elder and Deacon. 

In recognition of his lifelong commitment to journalism and public service, Florea was inducted into both the Indiana Journalism Hall of Fame and the Indiana Broadcast Pioneers Hall of Fame. 

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Written by Grace Marocco, edited by Katherine Maners

Februrary 2026

Bibliography 

“Dick Florea – Indiana Broadcast Pioneers.” Indianabroadcastpioneers.org, 2024, indianabroadcastpioneers.org/dick-florea/. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024. 

“Dick Florea’s Hall of Fame Video Bio | Indiana Broadcast History Archive.” Indiana.edu, 2015, ibha.indiana.edu/item/tm70ng30p/. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024. 

“Edward Richard Florea (1907-2001) - Find a Grave...” Findagrave.com, 2016, www.findagrave.com/memorial/182144662/edward-richard-florea. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024. 

Hubartt, Kerry. “Indiana Journalism Hall of Fame.” Indiana Journalism Hall of Fame, 2014, www.ijhf.org/members/2019/richard-florea. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.