Longtime Seattle newsman Ken Schram dies after lengthy illness
May 29, 2014, 4:04 PM | Updated: 6:25 pm
Iconic Seattle broadcaster Ken Schram has died after a lengthy series of illnesses.
The 66-year-old graced the airwaves of KOMO TV and Radio for 35 years as a reporter, commentator, host and radio personality.
Schram was best known as the long-time host of the local public-affairs show “Town Meeting,” as well as his “Schram on the Street” segments on KOMO News.
Schram took no prisoners and earned numerous awards for his thoughtful, probing and often humorous reports and commentaries, including numerous Emmy Awards and the prestigious Peabody.
He also created the “Schrammie,” a trophy presented to those he felt deserved a good kick in the butt to “underscore what I think are among the worst of bone-headed decision, and/or the most appalling of asinine behavior,” he said, usually local or regional newsmakers.
He could be funny, cantankerous, crude, and caustic. But he was first and foremost a skilled journalist who set the standard for decades as one of Seattle’s most dogged crusaders of truth.
Schram was let go by KOMO in December, 2012 in part of a big cost-cutting move. We had the pleasure of Ken’s company numerous times here at KIRO Radio as a guest host after he left KOMO. He brought a passion and joy to every story, along with his trademark sense of humor. He was smart, sweet, funny, warm and engaging, and will be missed.
Schram’s wife of 44 years, Sandi, had been by his side constantly in recent days after he was taken to EvergreenHealth’s hospice care in Kirkland.
