Dear DMA community,
On July 31, KDRT's Eclectic Dinosaur, Lee Renault, passed away in his sleep. Aug. 8 would have marked his 9th year doing a weekly radio show. From his own personal music stash and the truly impressive vault of trivia in his head, he spun tunes and stories Tuesday afternoons at 3 for 9 years. I helped him engineer his show that first year, but after that he flew solo, and KDRT filled his retirement years with much joy. He loved to brag about me, and liked to tell people that I helped start a radio station so that he could have something to do in his "dotage."
He could talk your ear off, never met a stranger, and had a perpetual mischievous gleam in his eye. If you even mentioned that you liked a particular show, song or artist, chances are very good that you'd soon after receive a CD of the same.
Lee was a lot of things to many people, and he was, of course, also my dad, my rock, and my hero. I've been grateful and appreciative and DMA's wonderful staff, board and volunteers for stepping in as I've stepped out this month to help my mom transition. I'll be on sabbatical through August and look forward to resuming my schedule at DMA beginning Sept. 2. Look for news then of fall election coverage, upcoming workshops, and more.
For those who have asked, we're planning a memorial Sunday, Sept. 7 at 3 p.m. at the UU Church of Davis, 27074 Patwin Road.
Thanks for all the kind notes and good wishes--long live the spirit of the Eclectic Dino.
In community,
Autumn Labbe-Renault
Executive Director