Rick Howlett, a Kentucky Public Radio host based in Louisville, has died.
Howlett spent more than 20 years with WFPL in Louisville. Most recently, he hosted In Conversation and also anchored midday newscasts for the public broadcaster. He held many titles during his career — which began in 2001 — at Louisville Public Media, including Morning Edition host, assignment editor, and interim news director.
“Rick was the first person who welcomed me to LPM and made me feel like I belonged,” Louisville Public Media President Stephen George said in a statement.
“He helped me figure out where things were and how things worked, and he counseled me through the first-time jitters of a new job. In the past few weeks, I’ve learned he did that for so many of us, quietly of course. I love to think about how many people found comfort from Rick.”
Rick Howlett was 62. He was diagnosed with esophageal cancer last year and continued working between treatments before entering end-of-life care earlier this month.
