| Andrew Martin Ockershausen |
Andrew Martin Ockershausen Washington, DC: Andrew Martin Ockershausen, a
longtime media executive whose career began in the golden days of radio and
continued into the era of podcasting, died on Wednesday, March 17,2021 in Annapolis,
just days after his 92nd birthday.
Ockershausen, known to friends and associates as "Andy O.," was born in 1929 and
grew up in Northeast D.C. where he played quarterback for Eastern High School
(1947) before beginning a lifelong career in broadcasting.
Ockershausen was hired into an entry-level position at WMAL radio in 1949, becoming
the station's general manager in 1960. Andy O. managed the station for more than 25
years at a time that it dominated Washington's morning airwaves with the broadcast
team of Frank Harden and Jackson Weaver. While at WMAL Ockershausen
handpicked the broadcast team of Sonny Jurgensen, Sam Huff, and Frank Herzog - a
trio so popular that Redskins fans would often mute their televisions and listen to the
popular radio broadcast.
A life-long Washingtonian Andy O. had deep ties in D.C.'s business and civic
communities and was a familiar presence at civic and sporting events, charity
fundraisers and on Washington's cocktail circuit. During his time at WMAL, he
spearheaded a fundraising effort, which raised more than $7 million for Washington's
Children's Hospital. He was also actively involved with the Leukemia Lymphoma
Society, the Salvation Army and the D.C. Police Boys and Girls Club.
Ockershausen's commitment to public service prompted Roll Call to credit him directly
in a 1983 editorial, calling WMAL "a station that is not only the eyes and ears of
Washington, but its voice and heart as well." In addition to his many years in radio,
Ockershausen spent two decades in Washington television with key management roles
at WMAL-TV (now WJLA-TV), WFTY-TV and Home Team Sports (now NBC Sports
Washington).
Ockershausen has been married to Janice Iacona since 1993. In 2016 her media firm,
Best Bark Communications began producing a series of over 200 podcasts titled Our
Town which allowed Andy O. to share his eight-plus decades of memories with
community leaders and other Washingtonians.
Janice and Andy enjoyed their time on weekends in nearby Shady Side, Maryland for
over 25 years. They spent their last year together there, away from DC during the
pandemic. In addition to his wife Janice, Andrew Martin Ockershausen is survived by
two sons, Kurt and Christian, along with two grandchildren, Nicholas and Keefer.
Plans are being made for a memorial service to be held the first week in June.
Donations can be made in lieu of flowers to Heroes, Inc., Washington Area Regional
Alcohol Program, Goodwill or Neediest Kids.
.
longtime media executive whose career began in the golden days of radio and
continued into the era of podcasting, died on Wednesday, March 17,2021 in Annapolis,
just days after his 92nd birthday.
Ockershausen, known to friends and associates as "Andy O.," was born in 1929 and
grew up in Northeast D.C. where he played quarterback for Eastern High School
(1947) before beginning a lifelong career in broadcasting.
Ockershausen was hired into an entry-level position at WMAL radio in 1949, becoming
the station's general manager in 1960. Andy O. managed the station for more than 25
years at a time that it dominated Washington's morning airwaves with the broadcast
team of Frank Harden and Jackson Weaver. While at WMAL Ockershausen
handpicked the broadcast team of Sonny Jurgensen, Sam Huff, and Frank Herzog - a
trio so popular that Redskins fans would often mute their televisions and listen to the
popular radio broadcast.
A life-long Washingtonian Andy O. had deep ties in D.C.'s business and civic
communities and was a familiar presence at civic and sporting events, charity
fundraisers and on Washington's cocktail circuit. During his time at WMAL, he
spearheaded a fundraising effort, which raised more than $7 million for Washington's
Children's Hospital. He was also actively involved with the Leukemia Lymphoma
Society, the Salvation Army and the D.C. Police Boys and Girls Club.
Ockershausen's commitment to public service prompted Roll Call to credit him directly
in a 1983 editorial, calling WMAL "a station that is not only the eyes and ears of
Washington, but its voice and heart as well." In addition to his many years in radio,
Ockershausen spent two decades in Washington television with key management roles
at WMAL-TV (now WJLA-TV), WFTY-TV and Home Team Sports (now NBC Sports
Washington).
Ockershausen has been married to Janice Iacona since 1993. In 2016 her media firm,
Best Bark Communications began producing a series of over 200 podcasts titled Our
Town which allowed Andy O. to share his eight-plus decades of memories with
community leaders and other Washingtonians.
Janice and Andy enjoyed their time on weekends in nearby Shady Side, Maryland for
over 25 years. They spent their last year together there, away from DC during the
pandemic. In addition to his wife Janice, Andrew Martin Ockershausen is survived by
two sons, Kurt and Christian, along with two grandchildren, Nicholas and Keefer.
Plans are being made for a memorial service to be held the first week in June.
Donations can be made in lieu of flowers to Heroes, Inc., Washington Area Regional
Alcohol Program, Goodwill or Neediest Kids.
.
| Published in The Washington Post on Mar. 28, 2021. Andrew Martin Ockershausen |
