The staff and family that make up KCHI Radio are in mourning over the loss of our leader, boss, owner and friend. Dan Leatherman passed away Sunday morning at his home; he was 57-years-old. Dan and his family moved to Chillicothe when he bought the station in April of 1996. Dan loved small town/small market radio and saw the value of radio to the local community. He strove to grow the station through improvements and the staff.
“Think local!” was Dan’s focus in the news and sports. He often said, “If it’s important to the local community, cover it and tell them what they need to know.”
Dan was active in the community, including membership in the Chillicothe Area Chamber of Commerce and at one point serving as its President. He was instrumental in creating Chillicothe’s Freedom Festival, providing a celebration and fireworks for the community for 15 years.
Dan called KCHI Chillicothe’s Biggest Cheerleader! He supported numerous not for profit organizations in the community through public service announcements that were aired at no charge. He saw the importance of giving the youth in the community the recognition they deserved, encouraging coverage of school activities and events, as well as 4H and FFA. He also provided the annual Leatherman Communication Scholarship for an area senior to study broadcast communications in college and partnered with a local bank to provide the ‘A’ For Achievement Scholarships each year.
KCHI Radio will continue to serve the community in the same way Dan felt was so important.
A Mass of Christian Burial is Thursday, 10:00 am at Saint Columban Catholic Church in Chillicothe. A Parish Rosary is Wednesday at 4:00 pm followed by a visitation until 8:00 pm. at Heritage Funeral Home in Chillicothe.
