Art Schreiber: A True Champion of Broadcasting

 

Remembering a New Mexico radio legend, industry leader, and remarkable human being.

Dear NMBA Members,

Over the weekend, I learned of Art Schreiber’s passing from my former colleague and lifelong friend, Steve Stucker. Steve and Art had been friends for decades, and Art’s son shared the news of his father’s death with Steve.

As a lifelong New Mexican, I knew of Art long before I knew him personally. As a college student, I remember him speaking to young, enthusiastic, would-be radio and television broadcasters. Years later, our paths crossed through boards on which we both served, and eventually as colleagues who showed up to work in the same building every day.

I remember how people smiled in Art’s presence. They sought his attention, gravitated toward him, and conversed with him as though they’d known him forever. He was respected for his illustrious career, keen business sense, and engaging personality.

I’ve always been uncomfortable when people claim a closeness to someone after their passing that didn’t really exist. Art wasn’t a personal friend of mine. But he was someone I admired enormously, not only for his legendary broadcasting career, but for his courage, character, and humanity.

It’s difficult to imagine New Mexico broadcasting without Art Schreiber.

On behalf of the New Mexico Broadcasters Association, I extend our heartfelt condolences to Art’s family and close friends. In his memory, we’re sharing some highlights of his extraordinary career, along with reflections from two broadcasters who knew him well and w

hose words help us appreciate the magnitude of this loss.

Monica Armenta
President & CEO
New Mexico Broadcasters Association

A Remarkable Life in Broadcasting

Art Schreiber, who passed away Saturday, November 7, at age 98, was a national broadcasting pioneer whose career spanned decades and some of America’s most influential radio markets.

From 1960 to 1977, he held senior leadership positions with Westinghouse Broadcasting, including news director, bureau chief, and general manager. His career took him to Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, Cleveland, and Washington, D.C., where he oversaw Westinghouse’s national and international news service.

He came to Albuquerque in the early 1980s to lead KOB Radio, helping establish the station as a dominant force in New Mexico broadcasting.

Art’s career put him in the company of presidents, world leaders, entertainers, and history-makers. He traveled with the Beatles during their historic 1964 American tour and developed a friendship with John Lennon. His stories included encounters with John F. Kennedy, Jacqueline Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

But his contributions extended far beyond the microphone.

After losing his eyesight, Art continued to work, write, advocate, and inspire. H

e became a champion for people who are blind or visually impaired, served as director of the New Mexico Commission for the Blind, and authored the award-winning memoir Out of Sight: Blind & Doing All Right.

His contributions to the New Mexico Broadcasters Association were equally significant:

Remembering Art

TJ Trout, NMBA Hall of Fame broadcaster and KKOB radio host, remembered Art as both a national radio legend and a treasured friend.

Trout recalled Art’s remarkable gift for storytelling, describing him as the perfect dinner party guest, someone who could hold an entire room’s attention with firsthand stories of presidents, political figures, and the Beatles.

For Trout, the relationship was also deeply personal. The two shared a love of radio, politics, and the Cleveland Browns. He remembered their conversations as opportunities to learn something new and reflected on how fortunate he was to have counted Art among his friends.

Milt McConnell, former NMBA President and Vice President/Market Manager for Citadel Broadcasting,  offered a moving remembrance:

“Art was my friend, my radio mentor, and my political and sports sparring partner. Words simply can’t describe what we have lost to the broadcast community and to the state of New Mexico.”

Art Schreiber’s extraordinary career helped shape broadcasting nationally and here in New Mexico. His resilience, generosity, and enduring curiosity left an equally important legacy.

He will be deeply missed by the broadcasting community he helped build and inspire.