From Fred Lundgren, CEO
It is with great sorrow that I announce the death of KCAA’s General Manager Daren Lane Flickinger. Daren passed away on Wednesday June 18th 2008 after an extended illness. Daren was a veteran broadcaster and journalist. Daren anchored the highest rated news broadcast in San Francisco for almost a decade.
Daren fondly recalled the thrills of interviewing the Beatles on their arrival in San Francisco, traveling with and interviewing both Democratic and Republican presidents and presidential candidates and covering presidential conventions.
In those years, he worked with such radio luminaries as Casey Kasem, The Real Don Steele and, Robert W. Morgan.
During earthquakes and fires, Daren was always on the job, giving live eye witness reports from the seat of an open helicopter. His voice was commanding and always reassuring.
Daren loved the movie business almost as much as he loved radio. He told us many stories about the movie stars he had met and those who became his friends over the years.
Daren appeared in over 40 movies, mostly as an extra. In some movies, he was the quiet taxi driver, in others he was the man engaged in conversation at the next table. In some movies, he was the man drinking in solitude at the other of the bar. He said he just wanted be part of the action.
Daren Lane was also an ordained minister who officiated at countless weddings. Shortly after KCAA came on the air in 2003, he actually conducted a wedding live on the radio.
I met Daren Lane 15 years ago, when KCAA was just my dream. He shared my vision for KCAA and he soon became my trusted friend and associate. For seven long years, from 1996 until 2003, he made daily trips to Big Bear and kept KCAA, then KBBV, on the air with only 20 watts of power. During those years, things seemed hopeless, with all the endless delays. Daren always knew KCAA could be a reality. When others gave up, Daren stood by me because he understood radio and he trusted me. After almost a decade of work, we signed KCAA on the air. The day was June 23td, 2003. It was a day of great celebration.
Under the leadership of Daren Lane, KCAA has become a station of stature and importance to the communities it serves. The KCAA staff extends it's most sincere condolences to Daren's wife Bonnie, their family and their many friends. Good Bye my good friend...We will miss you.
