Paul Lancaster, who has been part of the Quad Cities Business News advertising team since 2010, died of cancer April 23, surrounded by his family.
A friend to everyone he met, Paul leaves a void in Northern Arizona and in the local business community.
“Paul was a true gentleman in all occasions: genuine, honest and he loved his family dearly. I’m proud that I got to spend some time with him,” said Troy Bix, Quad Cities Business News publisher. Together, Bix and Lancaster worked to promote businesses in Prescott, Prescott Valley, Dewey-Humboldt and Chino Valley.
Paul was raised in Winslow, when it was still a bustling railroad town. He began his media career in radio, where he worked in Flagstaff, Tucson and Los Angeles, often going by his on-air name, Roger Collins.
Tim Kelly worked with him on KFI, along with other big names in Top 40, including John Rook; in the late 1970s and early 1980s, KFI was battling 93 KHJ for radio dominance. “Paul was always quick with a smile and a laugh that made you believe we were destined to win, which we did,” said Kelly. “He always had a twinkle in his eye like he knew something you didn’t and was roundly liked and respected by the entire KFI staff.”
During the radio heyday, Paul met Walter Egan, whose 1978 hit Magnet and Steel brought him fame. In the 1980s, Paul was Egan’s instructor at the Los Angeles Broadcasting School. “He was a wonderful teacher and friend to me, and I still find myself recalling different lessons he presented about radio and the inside workings of the industry,” Egan said.
In Arizona, Paul was well known for his on-air work at Tucson stations KTKT and KRQ. In Flagstaff, his dulcet tones were heard on KZGL, KVNA and KMGN. He also sold advertising for KSED and KFLX.
As owner of Lancaster Enterprises, Paul was a media and marketing consultant. He also worked for Direct Impressions, an Internet marketing fulfillment company. Colleagues said Paul was a visionary, ahead of his time, and could see the potential future of technological advances.
Paul earned the respect and admiration of hundreds of people. Services will be announced on quadcitiesbusinessnews.com. QCBN
By Theresa Bierer, QCBN
QCBN contributor Theresa Bierer worked with Paul Lancaster in several capacities. Like many others, she is heartbroken by the loss of a dear friend and respected professional.
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