Condolences: Rick McNeal
• Rick McNeal, former longtime morning co-host on Woodward Classic Rock WAPL/Appleton-Oshkosh, WI died Feb. 28 at 67.
McNeal had been in a coma for a week and in intensive care after an infection led to sepsis. McNeal retired from WAPL in July 2024 a few months shy of what would have been 40 years at the station, when he was half of the Rick & Cutter morning show. McNeal had been dealing with a series of health issues and setbacks following a fall at home in March 2024 that led to a bacterial infection in his leg and then a blood clot.
Len Nelson, McNeal’s longtime friend and WAPL co-host of 35 years, shared his thoughts in a heartfelt Facebook tribute that reads, in part, “There are very few people I’ve known, maybe none other, with such talent, incisive wit and a big heart — all of which he possessed in quality and quantity and which he generously shared with us. He is intrinsically linked to nearly all of my adult life and in the most appreciated way possible. My career and my life have been made immeasurably better by the decades of professional and personal relationships I had with him… I’m processing the loss and will have more to say soon. For now, however, my thoughts are with his life partner Amy and those closest to him who loved him dearly, as did I. Rick McNeal — A big man of big character, big humor and big love whose big impact made the world a much better and much funnier place.”
WAPL also posted a tribute to McNeal on its Facebook page. More details are covered by the Green Bay Press Gazette.
