I'd like to share a letter we've received from one great cop about one great reporter. Neal's last day with us is Friday, November 2. He wanted to keep this quiet and low key. No way!


To: Neil Pendland
KEX Management

I just received word announcing the retirement of one of the finest and most respected gentlemen in the broadcasting industry – KEX News Reporter Neil Pendland.

I am going to miss Neil Pendland!

Having the good fortune of being employed with the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office for more than 30 years, I have worked with a vast assortment of news reporters -- and I am proud to declare: “Mr. Neil Pendland is by far the very best of the best.”

I am genuinely going to miss the frequent news calls with Neil -- where it seemed no matter how busy it was, we were always able to generate a momentary laugh or two.

Responding to his pages and hearing that brilliantly distinctive, sage and very businesslike voice on the phone speak out with: “Neeeews Pendland” was music to my ears. If you have had the pleasure, you know what I mean!

If you’ve worked with Neil in the past, you always knew you were going to receive a fair and accurate accounting of the facts; I’ve always trusted Neil Pendland as a reporter. That well-earned trust is why I always made an effort to nudge Neil and his ominous microphone to the head of the news gaggle at our events -- Neil had earned a space in front, in my opinion.

Thank you Neil! And thank you KEX for empowering one of the finest to represent your esteemed news organization.

Neil, enjoy the happiest of retirements – Well done!

Respectfully,
Jim Strovink, Detective
Public Information Officer
Clackamas County Sheriff's Office
503-237-2643

Glad you started this thread, Brooks. Penland wants to low-key it, so I guess we won't be renting out the Governor, but if we did, it'd be filled with people like the sheriff's spokesman above, as well as other newsmakers, countless colleagues, and a whole boatload of listeners who know that what Richard Ross was to television, Neal Penland was to radio.

Most inhabitants of this board are too young to remember KYXI, but it was Portland's all-news station in the 1970's and it was damn good. Neal was the news director. His track record includes WTOP (DC powerhouse), KATU, KUPL, and now KEX/Clear Channel, where he's been able to simultaneously maintain a stringent standard and a sense of humor. He's a pure pro, a teacher, a leader, and a great guy to work with.

One of the good people of the earth, now free to roam. Fish on, Penland.

Look up "news judgement" in the dictionary and you'll see Neal's picture. KEX is losing a big institutional memory with Neal's retirement.

Neal Penland is one of the most honest, straightforward, no-nonsense journalists I have ever met. We had our disagreements from time to time, but never did I lose my respect for Neal as a reporter or as a person.

I echo John Erickson's comments above. Neal, you've paid your dues and put in your time, you deserve a wonderful retirement. Enjoy the fishing!

I just love it when news people get sappy. You guys’ work so hard for credibility and getting the story right, and then a class act like Penland hangs up the headphones.

It's great to see the heartstrings come out from people who have to deliver some of the most difficult stories. Ya'll get my respect.

Having worked side-by-side with Neal in radio and TV, and also having competed against him from time-to-time, let me tell you it was better working with him than against him.

I'm going to miss that distinctive voice and (supposedly) gruff attitude. There will never, ever, be another Penland.

Best wishes to you and Linda, Neal. Have a long and happy retirement.

Just looking at the posters in this thread. Its a whos who of Portland journalism excellence.

Classy letter from Strovink. What more can you say? Neil is one of the best and I enjoyed working with him as well. Yeah, Mike, I heard about the gruff attitude too. You and I both know he's a "cream-puff" at heart! Much luck and good fishin' Mr. Penland!

"The spoon doesn't have to stand up in the coffee, merely fall over slowly". I have enjoyed the brew, and rubbed elbows with a master. Best of everything to you Neal.

One of the best! This guys forgotten more about great journalism than most will ever learn. Ok, Penland, make sure we get your slip number so we can sit on the fantail of your yacht and tell old radio stories and of course drink your scotch!!

There are not that many credible journalists on the radio these days, especially on the "talk radio' stations. Penland will truly be missed.

Best of Luck to you Neal. It was great working with you.

Cheers,
Joe

First post...Constant Lurker...I am honored to join the discussion.

In preparation for my short-lived radio career, I interned with Neal and Doug at KUPL Sylvan.Coming in to work bleary -eyed from Battle Ground, Christmas Eve morning, I narrowly avoided a Christmas tree in the middle of the Fremont Bridge, then saw a guy walking on the bridge with a bucket. Things were busy with everyone calling the show on their day off, and it slipped my mind to tell my story...then we heard on the scanner that someone jumped from the bridge. "I think I saw that guy!" Neal's reply (edited...) "THAT WAS NEWS!!!" He never said it, but I realized that maybe things would have been different if I had spoken up and Neal then would have made the calls to police, etc...Any and all things are news, not for us to decide, but to report dutifully, to the best of our ability.

I also learned from Neal that you respect the medium and the listener, no matter who the employer is.

Thank you, Neal, for lessons learned and friendship given.

In my broadcast career, I have had the honor to work for some of the best in the business. Two of those were in this market, Ted Bryant and Neil Penland. Both were not only excellent journalists, but damn good teachers as well. Looking back, I'd have to say that we worked hard for Ted because we feared him (although we now know there was nothing to fear). But with Penland, we worked hard because we respected him. He pushed us, and damn sure let us know when we screwed up. But in the end, let us know how to do it right next time, and sent us right back out in the field to get it right. I don't believe many have those opportunities these days, certainly not now that Neil is retiring. It says a lot when a guy could be a taskmaster, and push his troops, and they would respond with things like damned expensive western boots with the news director's favorite sayings etched in metal across the toes...just 'cause we liked - and respected - the guy. Penland, you're one of a kind - and it's been my pleasure!

I'm gonna miss the next quarterly KYXI blast. Too bad, because this is the first one where Neil will actually get to relax and unwind! Oops, Christmas Ships the next day...oh well, maybe next time!

Neil, you will be missed. What pipes! Plus he saved me from a crazed stalker on Christmas Day in 1980 so he will forever be my hero! He walks the talk. Congratulations on your wonderful career.

Neal's retirement from daily broadcast journalism is a HUGE loss for the Portland market. We shared an office at the legislature in 1983...the guy would break stories about as often as most folks change socks!
I loved his tough and aggressive pursuit of the facts on any given story. Oh yes, he could be a bit gruff, even profane, but hey, what's not to love? Have a fabulous retirement Neal and don't forget to periodically touch base. Sorry this is late. Meant to post weeks ago.

Welcome aboard, Paul! Sorry I missed your previous posts.