Remembering Duke Wright
• UPDATED: Duke Wright, Founder, President & Chief Executive Officer of Midwest Communications Inc. in Wausau/Green Bay, WI, one of the largest privately owned, family-operated radio operating companies in the US with 80+ stations in nine states, passed away on Dec. 21, 2022 at the age of 83.
Funeral services honoring Duke Wright’s life will be held at 3pm Thursday, Dec. 29 at Christ Alone Church, 505 E. Allouez Ave., Green Bay, WI.
Relatives and friends may greet the family from 4-8pm on Wednesday Dec. 28, at The Lyndahl Funeral Home, 1350 Lombardi Ave., and again at Christ Alone Church on Thursday, Dec. 29, from 2pm until the time of service at 3pm. Duke will be laid to rest at Woodlawn Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family by visiting lyndahl.com.
Per Pegge Wright’s wishes, memorial donations may be sent to the Green Bay Humane Society.
• Born Duey Edward Wright Jr., Duke’s love of the broadcasting industry began at age 15, when he hosted a live music program on WSAU-TV in his hometown of Wausau. A talented lifelong musician, Wright ultimately made the decision to pursue a career in radio broadcasting over music, a decision he would later say, “Seemed to end up turning out pretty well.”
A pioneer in the radio industry, Wright recognized and implemented innovative changes that would later prove to have major impacts on the industry — the first was when he took a chance on a brand-new format created in the ’50s – Rock ‘n’ Roll. In 1958, along with his parents, Wright purchased a local AM station, WRIG 1400/Wausau, playing the new format, known as today’s Top 40. In 1964, believing that FM would one day become the dominant radio medium in the world, Wright acquired a construction permit to build his second radio station, 101.9 WRIG-FM.
In 1971, Wright founded Midwest Communications Inc. and launched WROE-FM/Appleton, WI. From there, under Wright’s leadership, Midwest Communications successfully completed over 25 acquisitions. It was Duke Wright’s vision to provide his communities with the best programming and the best technical facilities, led by the best broadcasters. He believed in the importance of being “live and local” and radio’s unique characteristic of providing companionship to listeners.
Three of Wright’s four children — Mary Kay, Michael, and Jeffrey Wright, along with his wife and partner of 50 years, Pegge Wright, are now leading the company. Duke was always proud of the many people who have worked at Midwest Communications, including not only his children but also all of the creative talents, sales and marketing professionals and business support teams contributing to its success.
Over the course of his 68-year career, Wright served on many national and state broadcasting boards and committees and was awarded numerous honors, including induction into the Wisconsin Broadcasters Hall of Fame, the Wisconsin Polka Hall of Fame, and the Wisconsin Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
