©
2024
Man From Mars Productions
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Walt
Pinto (1938-2024)
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It is with great sadness and regret that we announce the passing of Walt Pinto on November 13, 2024. He had been in ill health for some time. Walter Clement Pinto was known to his friends as "Clem" and he got his radio start in high school when he founded WORO in Orono, Maine in 1956. He worked in radio after graduation at stations in Maine and New Hampshire before joining the Army. He worked both radio and television while serving in the Armed Forces in Alaska.
Walt's radio career, post Army, took him to New London, New Haven and Bridgeport. WDRC listeners first knew him as Kent Clark starting in June 1967.
In later years, Walt again teamed up with Dick Robinson by voicetracking the midday shift at Dick's station in West Palm Beach, WLML. Here's what a few of his colleagues had to say upon learning of Walt's death. |
At various times he worked both AM and FM airshifts, plus spent much of 1968-69 working alongside Walt Dibble and Aaron Shepard in the WDRC Newsroom. He left the stations in 1970 to become Dick Robinson's assistant director at the Connecticut School of Broadcasting. But he maintained a regular presence as the utility personality on WDRC FM from 1971-73. Walt returned to WDRC AM as program director from 1988-2002, so he pretty much knew (or knew of) everyone who had worked at The Big D from the 1960s till today. But many others knew him from his time at CSB and he always knew who you could call if you were looking for a gig. Walt's broadcast sojourn took him to several other Connecticut call letters, and he also spent some time in Springfield, MA. |
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Thursday, November 21, 2024, 6:26 PM Walt was a consummate broadcast professional..But most importantly a great guy & friend..First encounter w Walt was while driving on Long Island listening to the monster Big D Stereo FM signal. Nearly drove off the road when this mellifluous voice i.d'ed himself as Kent Clark..Later..Got to know him personally & professionally @ Big D & CSB.. He was meticulous to a fault in his broadcast knowledge. And the stories he could tell! What a Great Guy..RIP Kent Clark. Lon Landis (e-mail) Wednesday, November 14, 11:41 AM I was saddened to hear the news when Pam called me. I worked with Walt at WDRC News in 1967 and '68. We became friends and have kept in touch until now. His phone calls of late sounded more and more labored, in contrast to his smooth conversational style. Walt was a true broadcast professional. with an extraordinary knowledge of great music and standards. He graced the airwaves here in West Palm Beach at Dick Robinson's station. He took the time to send me a production of Walt's Christmas Music every year from his vast personal collection of great standards. The world is not a better place after Walt's passing. I will miss him. Robert Michael Walker (e-mail) Wednesday, November 13, 2024, 3:48 PM The word loyal was often spoken when people mentioned Walt. Dick McDonough would often mention to me that if Walt gave you his word, you knew he'd keep it. He was a good man to know. And my many years of knowing him will always be special. R.I.P. Bob Craig (e-mail) Wednesday, November 13, 2024, 2:47 PM I first met Walt when we worked together at Golden 91Q in 1976 or 77. He was already a legend. I last saw Walt a couple of summers ago at the Hartford radio reunion at Farrell's in Portland. At the time, speaking had already begun to be a struggle for him, but we had a pleasant, if brief, conversation. Such a good guy. He will be missed. Lee Gordon (e-mail) Wednesday, November 13, 2024, 2:29 PM I am sad today hearing about the passing of Walt Pinto. I used to listen to him in the '60's when his listeners knew him as Kent Clark. In the 70's I had the opportunity to work with Walt at WRCH/WRCQ and I considered it a privilege to work alongside him, both on the air and in the production studio. Walt was a gentleman, he was funny, he was warm and friendly. I recall listening to him on Legends Radio and thought how beautifully he fit that format. Our broadcasting family has lost one great guy in Walt Pinto. God rest his soul. Bart (Bob Marx) Mazzarella (e-mail) Wednesday, November 13, 2024, 2:26 PM So sorry to hear of Walt's passing. I spoke with him earlier this year and heard him having difficulty speaking. We not worked together at Big D, CSB and RCH but also rode motorcycles together around Connecticut. He will be missed. Ted Dalaku (e-mail) Wednesday, November 13, 2024, 2:08 PM God bless Walt - our friend for life. Superman, of course....Kent Clark! A true mentor to so many - whose legacy includes a generation of broadcast professionals. We will miss you, Walt...but we're thankful for our time together! Pat Sheehan (e-mail) Wednesday, November 13, 2024, 12:59 PM Pam called me this morning too, with the devastating', but not unexpected, news. Walt was liked by many, but. I consider him to be my best friend of over half a century. He was there with me through the most important events in my life ever since we met. I thank God I was able to speak a few words to him by phone, even though he was not able to answer any more. May he be granted eternal peace through the mercy of God the Father, Jesus his son and the Holy Spirit. Bill Rock (e-mail) Wednesday, November 13, 2024, 12:31 PM So sad to hear that we lost such a good & kind soul. He was a mentor to many and I'll cherish the memories we created over the years we worked together at WDRC and WJMJ. RIP Walt. Dave Nagel (e-mail) Wednesday, November 13, 2024, 11:06 AM As my long time friend And my namesake Here is a person of quality From the state police to musicology on and off the air Charlie Parker said he was mild mannered like Clark Kent ? Reversing the name was part of the genius of Charlie and the trust shown by walt. He loved Les Paul so I introduced Walt's great guitar friend from Australia Tommy Emmanuel to Les at the iridium in NY which gave him a breakthrough. Walt loved to promote good music,and he knew his stuff, ……..and the angels sing for Walt. Joey Reynolds (e-mail) Wednesday, November 13, 2024, 10:53 PM The e-mail is very sad -- but not unexpected. I, and many others, had been extremely worried about Walt's condition for many months. Our thoughts now turn to Pam -- who is left with such an enormous loss. Bill Hennessey (e-mail) Wednesday, November 13, 2024, 10:44 AM Walt was a wonderful guy. I met him when he was at WNLC back around 1963. Before he became Kent Clark at DRC, he was Bill Walters at WICC and Wally Byrd at WAVZ. A real gentleman and a great pro. When I was at WPOP in 1967 we would talk on the phone during our air shifts, and just for fun, we'd play the same song at the same time. He did sales briefly at WCCC while I was there, and he did quite a few commercials for us at WLNG. We shall miss his wonderful friendship. Rusty Potz (e-mail) Wednesday, November 13, 2024, 10:31 AM Good morning my Friends, I received a call from Pam Pinto earlier this morning. Our dear friend Walt Pinto (aka Kent Clark) passed away earlier this morning. He was more than a friend to so many of us. He was one of my BIG D Brothers. Seems like he's been part of the family for years. I can only imagine the reception that he received as he walked through those Pearly Gates. A very very sad loss……but dad's happy to have him as part of his Heavenly Crew. God bless you my friend. Steve Parker (e-mail) |