Former WIRK/West Palm Beach Host, Owner Rome Hartman Dies

Condolences to family and friends of former WIRK-A-F/WEST PALM BEACH personality and co-owner ROME HARTMAN, who died WEDNESDAY (10/12) after a long battle with congestive heart failure in WEST PALM BEACH at 87, according to the PALM BEACH POST.

HARTMAN started his career as a teen actor on WLW-A/CINCINNATI's "BOYS TOWN" before serving in the NAVY during WORLD WAR II.  After the war, he moved to FLORIDA and served as a host and sportscaster at WIRK starting in 1947, helping sign on the short-lived UHF TV sister station WIRK-TV in 1953-56.  He then bought into the station, partnering with JOSEPH S. FIELD adding the FM side and remaining as co-owner until the stations were sold to PRICE COMMUNICATIONS in 1983.  Among his survivors are his wife of 64 years, ESTHER, and five children, including a namesake son who is Exec. Producer for the upcoming NBC newsmagazine "ROCK CENTER WITH BRIAN WILLIAMS."

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