A fixture in the development and coverage of local, grassroots sports in Kamloops — and a long-time member of the Radio NL family — has been lost.

Radio NL has confirmed the passing of former, long-time Sports Director and sports anchor Rick “the Bear” Wile Tuesday evening.

He passed in hospital surrounded by friends and family.

Rick Wile — or just “Bear” as he was known to all who worked with him — first landed in the Southern Interior back in the late 1970’s after starting out his over 50 year broadcasting career with stints in Thunder Bay and Winnipeg before making Kamloops home.

He would spend the next 40 or so years becoming an integral member of the Kamloops sports scene, acting as the sideline reporter for the Blazers broadcasts, working in the trenches to bring not only the highlights and thoughts from ice-level, but also from behind the scenes.

“He loved Kamloops, loved the community,” said veteran NHL’er and Kamloops native Mark Recchi in conversation with Radio NL in the hours following “Bear’s” passing.  “He was fun to be around, had great stories and understood sports in Kamloops.”

“It’s a sad day for everybody,” added Recchi, whose career Wile would follow and report on closely through the years.

On top of his duties at RadioNL as the Sports Director for some 40 years, Rick “the Bear” Wile would also go on to chair the Kamloops Sports Hall of Fame.

“The thing with Rick is he was very passionate — passionate about everything he did,” noted Frank D’Amore, who would co-chair the Hall of Fame along side Wile for many years.  “From slo-pitch to the selection committee for the HOF, and passionate about sports at Radio NL…he wanted it done right.”

Wile — originally from Quebec — was an avid slo-pitch player and promoter, and maintained a level of commitment in providing coverage to youth sports teams in Kamloops.

“He had a lot of perseverance,” said Peter Olsen, who worked with Wile for 37 years as the “Morning Mayor” on Radio NL.  “The other words that come to mind is pride, professional and passionate.”

Wile’s support of grassroots sports, along with his sometimes sharp critiques of the teams involved, could help bolster local clubs and put a fire under those “the Bear” thought could use some motivation.

“Bear could also be stubborn as we all know,” said Olsen, who — in his retirement from morning radio — has become a noted photographer and documenter of the changes which have been taking place in Kamloops over the past number of years.

“If he believed in something he would certainly go toe-to-toe with anybody,” added Olsen.

“Bear” would eventually hang up his microphone in 2017, retiring with over 50 years under his hat in the broadcast industry.

“The bottom line is, I miss him a great deal,” lamented Olsen, speaking with Radio NL less than 12 hours after “Bear” died late Tuesday evening.

“I’m so sorry for his loss,” he added.  “My condolences to (wife) Joy and the family.”

Rick “the Bear” Wile was 72.