Allan H. Land

LONGBOAT KEY, FLORIDA----Allan Land passed away in the early hours of Friday, November 16, 2007 at his home in Longboat Key, Florida. He had been in failing health. Mr. Land was born May 17, 1922 in the Bronx, New York. He received a degree in history from St. John's University, New York in 1947. His college education was interrupted by World War II. Mr. Land was a Staff Sergeant in the 100th Infantry Division and saw battle action in France and Germany. Mr. Land received the Purple Heart for injuries received during ground combat. Mr. Land and his wife June, who passed away January 14, 2004, moved to Zanesville from New York City following their August 17, 1947 wedding. He retired from WHIZ AM-FM-TV as President and General Manager in 2000 following a career that recognized not only his remarkable talent and leadership skills but his vision as a radio and television pioneer. Mr. Land often credited his business success to June, who was not only his loving wife, but his life-long partner. He began his career at WHIZ AM 1240 in 1947, then helped with the birth of WHIZ-TV in 1953 as the station's first TV news anchor. He remained on the air three more years after taking the reins as General Manager. Land received the State of Ohio's highest honor in 1972 when he was chosen to receive the "Executive Order of Ohio Commodore" named after Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry famous for his naval victory on Lake Erie. Mr. Land was the proud recipient of the Bob Award. He was extremely proud of the Allan Land Award instituted at Ohio University's school of Radio-Television by his son Eric and daughter-in-law Cindy. He was appointed Chair of the Ohio Educational Television Network by Governor Gilligan and served as a member of the NBC Affiliate Board. Mr. Land served countless hours in support of Zanesville and Muskingum County. He led the building effort for Bethesda Hospital, was president of Community Improvement Corporation, active in Rotary, chaired United Way campaigns and worked on boards of several other area organizations including the Salvation Army, Red Cross and the TB Association. He is predeceased by his wife, June, his father Harry and his mother Theresa, both of New York, then Zanesville. Mr. Land is survived by his brother, Mark Landsman of Fort Lauderdale; three children and six grandchildren. Mark retired from NBC News and produces the Nightly Business Report on the PBS Network. Mr. Land's older son, Eric, recently retired from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as Chief Operating Officer; he had a three-decade career in television including five years as president/general manager of WFLA-TV in Tampa, Florida. Eric is married to Cynthia Brok Land, a special education teacher in Tampa. Mr. Land's son, Michael, is president of Phadia U.S. Inc., in Kalamazoo, Michigan and is married to Nancy Beckett Land. Mr. Land's loving daughter, Myra Gibson of Watchung, New Jersey, is married to Jack, the Managing Principle (Actuary), N.A., of Tillinghast-Towers Perrin in New York City. Mr. Land's grandchildren include, Garrett Land, 31, an attorney with the law firm of Englander-Fischer in St. Petersburg, Florida. Jordan Land, a criminal justice teacher at Southwest Florida College in Ft. Myers, Florida, Jordan's wife, Beth, is a mental health therapist. Drew, 20, is a senior at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, who is following his grandfather's and uncle career paths in Radio-TV. Zachary, 17, a high school senior. Both are accomplished musicians. Ted Gibson, 20, a sophomore at Yale University and Allison Gibson, 16, a student at Newark Academy. Ted and Allison have both excelled at sports, music and theatre. Mr. Land took great pride in his children and grandchildren hosting the entire family on several Caribbean cruises and many trips to Broadway shows in his native New York City. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday, November 18, 2007 and 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Monday, November 19, 2007 at the Bolin-Dierkes Funeral Home, 1271 Blue Ave., Zanesville. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, November 19, 2007 at the funeral home with a graveside service immediately following at Beth Abraham Cemetery, with Rabbi Jeffrey Elson officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the following: The Land Award Scholarship at Ohio University School of Radio-TV, 9 College Street, Athens, Ohio, 45701, Attn: Mr. Roger Cooper or the American Heart Association.