David Schoumacher, 1934 – 2023
David Edward Schoumacher October 13, 1934 – March 24, 2023
WGMD is mourning the loss of David Schoumacher. David, the “D” in WGMD, passed away, on the 24th of March 2023. Originally from Chicago, David received a Master Degree in Journalism from Northwestern University. After graduating, David served as a pilot in the United States Air Force and Air Force Reserve as part of the Strategic Air Command (SAC). After his service, he returned to journalism in the Midwest. Early on, he worked with Walter Cronkite at CBS News. His career continued with ABC News in New York and then Washington, DC where he was the evening anchor for WJLA-TV.
After retiring from Television, David continued his passion for the news. He, Gene McCoy, and Joseph Giuliani, purchased WLRB 92.7 in 1980. Licensed to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, the three general partners of Resort Broadcasting, Company, changed the call sign to WGMD to reflect their names. WGMS wasn’t available as it was a station in Silver Spring, MD.
David loved news and helping small businesses grow. He also had a talent for finding great people. His first hire as general manager of WGMD was the late Bob Smith, who was responsible for creating the Sports Booster Program that offers college scholarships to local high-school students based on their academic and athletic talents. David convinced the late Art Curley, a Delmarva Radio Legend, to host a show about jazz music. He also scouted Dan Gaffney from a small town in Ohio and Marie Moulinier former Avon sales representative.
David’s real passion was journalism. After six months of negotiation, he convinced Rush Limbaugh, to syndicate to an FM frequency thus creating today’s News Talk format of WGMD. Joe, Gene, and David owned several stations throughout the mid-Atlantic as far west as Wheeling, WV. WGMD remained close to their hearts as their first station. When Gene passed, Joe’s brother, Ben, became a member of the Executive Committee. Today, almost 43 years later, WGMD remains in the Giuliani family.
As the station passed from one generation to the next, Resort Broadcasting became DataTech Digital to reflect the changes in technology and the industry. DataTech Digital is expanding beyond radio to a full marketing company offering multiple platforms including conventional terrestrial radio and digital platforms. We are taking what David taught us to the next generation by covering News, Sports Traffic, Weather through both radio and digital platforms. As David wanted, we are constantly expanding what we can do to make the listener part of local and national news, while helping grow local businesses. David, thank you for your guidance, we hope to make you proud as you look down upon us!
