Ken Schram, well-known personality on KOMO television and radio for more than three decades, died Thursday. He was 66.
Schram had been battling an internal infection for the past several months and his wife, Sandi, was at his side when he died, KOMO reported. They were married for 44 years.
Schram started at KOMO in 1977 and spent years as host of “Town Meeting,” a Sunday night talk show. He also spent years on KOMO radio.
“I am broken hearted about this,” “New York” Vinnie Richichi, a former Seattle radio host, wrote of Schrams' illness on Facebook. “Ken Schram is a friend, a good guy and without his help the Mariners may have been gone in ’95. It was hit show ‘Town Meeting’ that put the fight to build a ballpark on the map.”
Schram became one of Seattle’s best-known television personalities and in the last decade became known for his “Schrammie,” an award for what he called the “boneheaded, short-sighted, narrow-minded, politically correct dipsticks.”
The weekly winner was mailed a bobblehead of Schram holding a cup of coffee.
Schram even game himself one after one of the packaged bobbleheads was mistaken by a mailroom employee as a suspicious package.
In addition to his commentaries on KOMO television, Schram also hosted a KOMO afternoon radio show and previously was the left-leaning counterpart to John Carlson on “The Commentators.”
In a 2001 Seattle Post-Intelligencer story, Schram said he tried to answer each of the hundreds of e-mails he receives, even the ones calling into question his sanity or his parentage. He said it's part of his desire to make a connection, to provoke thought.
“There's a void in intelligent journalism,” Schram told the newspaper. “We need to bring thoughtful directness back.”
A family friend said that the family is planning a private, Catholic ceremony, and they are hoping to have a public memorial service as well.
“As I’m writing this, I realize just how many Schram stories I have – some of them make me smile, and other downright belly laugh,” family friend Janene Drafs said in a statement. “The man was a huge presence, and deep under that crusty exterior, he had one of the biggest hearts in our business.”
“Town Meeting” lasted until 1999, and Schram left KOMO in December 2012 after years of doing editorials on KOMO television and radio.
"I'd be less than candid if I didn't acknowledge how disappointed I am to have my 35+ year career at KOMO end this way,” he wrote on Facebook after his position was eliminated. “Still it's been a great run.
“Thanks for all the years that you've allowed me to share."
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