Posted by chicagomedia.org on March 19, 2009 at 11:34:44:
In the name of love, WGN's King decides to keep working
Posted by Ed Sherman
at 3/19/2009 5:49 AM CDT on Chicago Business
Love may not conquer all, but it has spurred Rich King to remain at his post as sports reporter and anchor for WGN-Ch. 9.
Mr, King, 62, was planning to call it a career this year. However, his new life with fiance April Neal has him feeling recharged. As a result, he signed a contract extension with WGN through the end of this year. Beyond that he said he has no plans to retire.
"I was going to wrap it up," Mr. King said. "It's the old story: Retire and play golf. But this lady I met just changed me. She's working. So why shouldn't I be working? I got rejuvenated. It's been great."
Mr. King went through a tough period after the death of his wife, Maggie in 2002. Two years ago, he wrote a book, "My Maggie," documenting her amazing spirit despite a life that saw her suffer from hearing and vision loss and three different cancers.
Mr. King continues to promote the book, which has sold more than 16,000 copies. He recently met Larry King and hopes to appear on his CNN show.
So instead of slowing down, Mr. King is a busy man these days.
"I'm back to where I was, and frankly, even better," he said.