Former WGN Radio News Director Tom Petersen dies at 83
Tom Petersen, a trusted and respected news anchor at WGN Radio for over 20 years, died on May 10, 2025, at age 83. Besides reporting on serious events including the death of Bob Collins and the tragedy of September 11, Tom was also known for the lighter moments he brought to the studio. Here are some memories of Tom Petersen:
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The first moments of WGN Radio’s coverage of September 11, 2001:
Tom Petersen says farewell after his final newscast, December 30, 2005:
Tom Petersen talks with Spike O’Dell about throwing out the first pitch at Wrigley Field, September 26, 2005:
Spike, Tom and the morning crew have fun counting down the days until Tom’s retirement:
Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn declares December 22, 2005 Tom Petersen Day in Illinois:
Tom Petersen’s induction into the WGN Radio Walk of Fame, May 27, 2016:
Steve Dale reminisces with Tom Petersen, May 16, 2022:
(L-R) Tom Petersen, Bob Collins, and Lyle Dean on the infamous “Yacht Lyle Dean.”
(Left to right) Engineer Bob Broz, engineer Milt Owens, assistant Diane Huske, sports director Dave Eanet, news reporter Larry Schreiner, Bob Collins, news director Tom Petersen, meteorologist Roger Triemstra, producer Audrey Clarke, traffic reporter Evelyn Holmes, traffic-copter reporter Mike Mathis, engineer Ben Cortez
Bob’s 25th anniversary group hug: producer Audrey Clarke (and her infamous sweater), (a distracted) program director Mary June Rose, the man of the quarter century – Bob Collins, news director Tom Petersen, and political analyst Paul Green (waiting for cake)
Orion with former news director Tom Petersen and Maria Petersen
Dean Richards, Christine Collins, Spike O’Dell, and WGN Radio News Director Tom Petersen
At Dick Sutliff’s retirement: (L-R) Bob Kessler, Lyle Dean, Tom Petersen, Judy Pielach, Dick, Wes Bleed, Mike Mathis