A.V. Tidmore

Inducted 1996

Deceased 

Argie V. (A.V.) Tidmore began his radio career when he joined the Navy.  Only sixteen at the time, he learned to be a radio operator and engineer during his nine years with the Navy. He remained an engineer throughout his career, well known for his technical ability.

After leaving the Navy, Tidmore joined Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) as a radio engineer.  Shortly thereafter, in 1921, he built his first radio station, WJEJ, in Hagerstown, Md.  He was 26 years old. He later built and directed radio stations in Frederick, Md., New Smyrna, Fla., and Leesburg, Va.

In 1946 Tidmore moved to Pottsville and built WPPA, Schuylkill County's first radio station.  Two years later, he built WAVT-FM.  The Tidmore family has owned and operated these stations for more than fifty years. 

In addition to his broadcasting activities, Tidmore was a civic and business leader.  He was a founder and former chairman of the Schuylkill County Redevelopment Authority, which he served for almost thirty years.  He served as president of the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce, chairman of the Pottsville Parking Authority, and vice president of the Anthracite Expressway Association.  He served on the Board of the Schuylkill County Industrial Development Authority.

Tidmore was a member of Penn State's Advisory Board, the Pottsville Citizens Committee, the Schuylkill County Airport Authority, and the Greater Pottsville Industrial Development Corporation. He was a director of the Schuylkill County Chapter of the American Cancer Society, a director of the Schuylkill County Chapter of the National Foundation of Infantile Paralysis, and president of the March of Dimes. He was active in Rotary International, serving as governor of District 737, president of the Pottsville Rotary, and a Paul Harris Fellow.

Tidmore was named 1984 Distinguished Citizen by Greater Pottsville Area Winter Carnival.  In 1985, he was recognized by Pottsville Pride for community service.  In 1990, he was honored at the Community Investment Awards Program.

Tidmore was also an aviation enthusiast.  He began flying in 1922 and remained a pilot throughout his lifetime. He held a private instrument instructor's pilot license.  He was a captain in the Civil Air Patrol.

He served on the Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters.