Category: Obituary

  • Fisher, Rich

    Rich FisherTV news.

    Died, March 24, 2017, after fighting cancer for many months.[1]

    Lynch and Clawson Funeral Home, “Rich Fisher died peacefully March 24, 2017. He was 67 years old. Rich was born March 31, 1949, in Detroit, to James and Patricia Fisher.

    He is survived by his children, Bill Fisher, Richard Fisher, Stephanie (Bryan) Inman, and Allison Fisher, his brothers, Jim (Lorraine) Fisher and John (Kimmy) Fisher, his granddaughter, Madison James, and his former spouse, Mary Kelso Fisher.”[2]

    Rich Fisher

    References:

    1. Fox 2 Detroit, March 24, 2017, Josh Landson – Remembering the late Rich Fisher: family man
    2. Lynch and Clawson Funeral Home

  • Bitzer, Deborah

    Deborah BitzerTV sales, 1981 – 1985.  Date of Death: March 25, 2014.

    References:

  • Bell-Hansen, Rita

    WXYZ: Host of ‘Prize Movie’.  Prize Movie ran every weekday morning for 21 years starting in 1960. During the breaks, Rita would receive phone calls from viewers who tried to guess song titles.  Rita was born in 1925 and passed on December 9, 2003. She was married to Jerome Frederick Hansen who as a Sgt. in the United States Marine Corp (1925-2015).

    Along with others, I ran camera on her “Prize Movie” during the mornings.  Always a delight and loved the technical crew that surrounded her.  A wonderful asset when she worked at WXYZ.” – Terry Pochert

    Rita Louise “Rita Bell” Bell Hansen.

    Rita BellRita Bell

    “TV Personality. Graduated from Marygrove College in Michigan, she began her career as a public relations representative for United Way. She also sang with big bands, and was discovered one night in 1957 by the General Manager of WXYZ-TV Channel 7, making her the first female television broadcaster in Michigan’s history. After two years, she was awarded her own show, “Prize Movie,” which aired more than 6,000 movies during its 18-year run. Also an actress, she had a cameo role in a 1968 episode of ABC’s western television series, “Big Valley,” and was a national spokesperson for American Women in Radio and Television.” Biography from Find A Grave

    References:

    1. FindAGrave
    2. Vintage Toledo TV