Vic Diehm

Inducted 1996
Deceased  

Vic Diehm entered radio in 1926 in Baltimore.  A few years later, he went to work for the Steinman Brothers of Lancaster, who were adding radio stations to their newspaper business.  When WAZL in Hazleton joined the Group in 1932, Diehm was made station president and general manager. He purchased the station in 1946, forming the Hazleton Broadcasting Co. In 1949, he launched WAZL-FM, later called WVCD.  His affiliation with these stations lasted throughout his lifetime. 

Diehm was an innovator, an activist, and an industry leader.  At a time when radio stations were affiliated with only one network, Diehm secured affiliation for WAZL with the National Broadcasting Company and the Mutual Broadcasting System-making his station, for many years, one of only seven stations in the United States with a dual network affiliation.  He is credited as one of the men responsible for preserving the NBC Radio Network in the late 1940's. Soon after affiliating with the Mutual Broadcasting System, Diehm was elected chairman of the Mutual Affiliates Advisory Committee, a position to which he was elected annually for sixteen of his twenty years as committee member.  From 1969 to 1972, he served as president of the Mutual Broadcasting System. 

Diehm served two terms on the National Association of Broadcasters Board of Directors.  He was one of the founders of the Radio Advertising Bureau, serving on the Board for a number of years including several terms as chairman.  Diehm was also active in the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters for many years.  He was one of PAB's reorganization leaders in 1949.  He served as second vice president in 1949 and as PAB Joint Board Chairman in 1951.  He continued to work on behalf of the PAB for nearly thirty years and was named PAB Ambassador of Good Will.  In 1980, he received PAB's Gold Medal Award, the first broadcaster to be so honored.    

Diehm was active in civic affairs and was credited with promoting industrial growth in the Hazleton area.  He helped form the Hazleton Industrial Commission, serving five terms as commission president. He was a leader in the development of the Hazleton Municipal Airport and was instrumental in the formation of Pennsylvanians for Effective Government. He served as president of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce and was a four-term president of the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce. 

For service to his community, Diehm was awarded the distinguished Hazletonian Citation.  He received the Coronet Magazine award for outstanding public service.  In 1969 the Governor proclaimed Vic Diehm Day in his honor.  Some years later the city of Hazleton also honored him with a special week in recognition of his outstanding service.