Barry Stigers, 1940-2023: Longtime KAHI newsman was involved in 'everything going on in Auburn'

Barry Stigers, who worked most of the last 23 years of his 66-year career in radio and television at KAHI in Auburn, passed away Tuesday morning following a battle with cancer. He was 83. A volunteer when he started at KAHI in 2000, Stigers went on to host the afternoon news in 2003 and in 2005 was promoted to news director while moving to the morning news anchor seat. Mary Jane Popp, who hosts the afternoon news at KAHI and "Popoff with Mary Jane Popp," described Stigers as "a great pro but more so he was a personality all to himself with a heart as big as he was. "What I loved about Barry is he never met a stranger," said Popp, whose career in radio spans nearly a half century. "I'm most proud that many years ago, we started out as colleagues and ended up as friends. Safe journey, my friend." KAHI General Manager Jerry Henry posted a story on the station's website detailing Stigers' career with the "Voice of the Foothills." The story was titled "The passing of a radio legend" and noted Stigers' career moves before he moved to California in 1985, including that Stigers' radio career started at his hometown station – WADP in Kane, Pennsylvania – the same year KAHI went on the air: in 1957. Stigers also worked at stations in Olean, Rome, Ticonderoga and Glens Falls, New York, as morning host. The KAHI tribute notes Stigers worked as a program manager in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, starting one of the first call-in shows in 1960. He also worked in the Pittsburgh and Philadelphia markets. Stigers, born on Feb. 2, 1940, moved to cable television in 1964 and promoted to vice president of operations at Warner Cable in New York, the KAHI story notes. "Our listeners will forever miss the professionalism and that familiar low voice Barry provided to the foothills for so many years," Henry wrote. Stigers and Maggie Rose McGurk were together for about the past 12 years, living in Sun City Lincoln Hills. She said he was involved in "everything that was going on in Auburn," including Meddlers meetings each Tuesday morning, where he helped with the sound system and Zoom, and the Auburn Rotary Club. "He just kept up with everything. He was so kind to everybody. He's just the kindest person," McGurk said. "He was always very considerate and kind, and here he is, he's sick and he's telling me to be careful when I go out. He was thinking of me when he was sick." Sam Frazier wrote in an email sent by McGurk to the Auburn Journal he knew Stigers for 10 years and described him as the "perfect friend." "Some of my best times with Barry have been playing golf together, sharing a meal and working side by side on Rotary projects," Frazier wrote. "What makes Barry the perfect friend? Many reasons, but he is always positive and encouraging to everyone. Conversations can turn political or to gossip, but not for Barry. He turns every story into a humorous and informative event. He has that rare gift and the perfect voice to deliver his delightful stories. He is always humorous and always positive. In all the years I've known Barry and when we parted company, it was with a smile on my face. He was gifted with making people feel good about themselves." Richard Pearl of Lincoln said he met Stigers and McGurk at a Halloween party 12 years ago and developed an immediate friendship "based on similar passions: aviation, Rotary and politics. "I was fortunate to be asked to join his morning drive show radio broadcast on KAHI as a Wednesday correspondent – 13 minutes of conversing with a friend over the air, talking about anything that struck our fancy, as long as the outcome was positive and informative. Local, state or national issues … everything was fair game. I'm still waiting for the 'hamburger salary' he always promised; that may have been the only promise he didn't keep. He had wit, intelligence, humor and humility. That's the Barry I'll always remember."