Dick Stone, a well-known voice to Chicago’s radio listeners for decades, died Jan. 7, 2022, after a long illness. Survivors include his wife, Chicago Sun-Times reporter Fran Spielman; son Jason; daughter-in-law Sharon Stone; soon-to-be daughter-in-law Haylee Schwartz; grandchildren Maddie, Paige and Hanner Stone; mother-in-law Teri Klein; and brothers-in-law Hal Cohen and Jeff Wallis. Oldest son Craig, 53, died of a heart attack Dec. 25, 2021.

On Jan. 11, Dick’s obituary, with three accompanying photos, spread across two full pages of the Sun-Times in a fitting tribute to his stellar career as a newsman in Chicago. 

https://chicago.suntimes.com/2022/1/10/22877290/richard-dick-stone-dies-80-newsman-respected-foreign-correspondent-media-strategist

“He could be very tough in his pursuit of the truth, but warm and gentle in person,” said former Sun-Times managing editor Mary Dedinsky. “He became a highly respected political and media consultant, but he left an indelible memory as a giant among giants in Chicago journalism.”

Dick grew up on Chicago’s West Side, went to Amundson High School, then moved to Highland Park when his mother remarried and he took on his stepfather’s surname. At HPHS he wrote for Shoreline and played drums in the band and orchestra. 

He went to college at UIC at Navy Pier, served in the Army, joined City News Bureau and moved to United Press International’s Chicago and Des Moines bureaus before being transferred to Asia. He lived in Tokyo and then was promoted to UPI Jakarta bureau chief. Commandeering the last phone before lines were cut, he scooped everyone when Sukarno fell from power. 

Back in the U.S. he worked at KYW Philadelphia, the Group W Washington Bureau and WIND Chicago, where he was promoted to news director. He got the only one-on-one interview that Mayor Richard J. Daley ever gave to radio. Later he was news manager of WCFL. Then for several decades he was a communications consultant to corporations and politicians and was an assistant teacher and mentor to students at HPHS.

Death notice:

Dick Stone, 80, of Highland Park, passed away on Jan. 7 after a long illness. Beloved husband of Fran (Spielman) Stone. Loving father of Jason and the late Craig Stone. Father-in-law of Sharon Stone and soon-to-be father-in-law of Haylee Schwartz. Grandfather of Maddie, Paige and Hanner Stone. Son-in-law of Teri Klein. Brother-in-law of Hal Cohen and Jeff Wallis. Dick was a brilliant writer and reporter who was the youngest foreign correspondent United Press International ever had. After graduating from Highland Park High School and attending the University of Illinois at Navy Pier, he got his start at City News Bureau. He then joined UPI's Chicago bureau before being promoted to run UPI's Des Moines Bureau covering the Iowa General Assembly and then-Gov. Harold Hughes. It wasn't long before Dick had realized his lifelong dream of becoming a foreign correspondent — first in Tokyo, then as bureau chief in Djarkarta, Indonesia. It was there that his deep contacts, reporting skills and understanding of geopolitics helped him score a 24-hour scoop on the world when former Indonesian President Sukarno was deposed. When Dick returned to the United States, he joined Westinghouse Broadcasting — first at KYW Radio in Philadelphia, then home to WIND Radio Chicago, where he covered the administration of former Mayor Richard J. Daley and conducted the only one-on-one radio interview the late mayor ever granted. Dick went on to serve as an award-winning news director at WIND Radio and WCFL Radio before becoming a political and media consultant. Dick was a gourmet cook who delighted in entertaining friends and family and duplicating his favorite restaurant dishes. His Thanksgiving meals were legendary. So was his sense of humor. He loved jazz, played the drums and was a die-hard Cubs fan who lived to see his beloved team win the World Series after naming his Golden Retriever "Theo." Most of all, he adored his family. If you had asked him to pinpoint his greatest accomplishment, he would have said it was being a father and husband. In retirement, he served his community as a member of the Rotary Club and as an assistant teacher and mentor to students at Highland Park H.S. Dick was predeceased by his parents Bernard (Kahn) and Gladys (Abrams). A memorial service will be held at a later date. Shiva will be held on Thursday, Jan. 13 at 4 p.m. at Weinstein & Piser Funeral Home, 111 Skokie Blvd., Wilmette. For information, call 847-256-5700.

Fran and Dick

Being introduced to Sukarno