Michael S Reynolds

Michael (Mickey) Reynolds, age 67, died on June 16, 2024 due to heart failure. He was born on July 4, 1956, the son of George and Phyllis (Neptow) Reynolds, and brother to Lou, Rex and Paul. Described as one of the kindest, sweetest, quirkiest guys on earth, radio was both his passion and a 41-year career. 

 His father was a broadcast engineer, and legend has it that Mickey learned to walk in the WISM studio. He started his professional radio career on April Fool’s Day, 1976 in Poynette, WI at 94.9 FM, then WLVE (Love Stereo). He worked for a plethora of owners – but always stayed at the same frequency, now WOLX. 

 Behind-the-scenes more than on-air (though able to rub elbows with legends like Jonathan Little), he scheduled commercials, managed production, and more than once kept the station on the air when something went wrong. 

 A self-taught master of the many specialized software systems needed to run a station. He loved all things geeky, from Doctor Who to anime, and you’d have an instant friend if you dropped a Monty Python quote. 

 New arrivals to WOLX were often told, “treat him right and there’s nothing he won’t do for you.” The easy part was treating him right. He was so easygoing and friendly he was always the one taking care of you.

 A master of thrifting, he always looked for a bargain, rescued electronics with an eye toward fixing them, and delighted in going on location with the Triple M morning team in downtown Madison on student move-out day (Hippy Christmas) to search for treasure among the trash.

 He loved all animals, feeling most were smarter than people. He had a passion for American Eskimo dogs (Eskies), raising and showing many of them over the years. Cats, too, were often a part of the household which he kept with his sister until her passing in 2021. 

 Special thanks to Ben Anton, who helped so much in the last few months.

 Whenever you had a problem or needed a friend or a laugh, he was there. It’s hard to believe he’s gone, but he left behind a tremendous Radio Family and we are all better for knowing him. Rest in peace, Mickey. You are loved.

 Only known allergies: Raw Octopus Tentacles

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