Rick Biddle

Frederick Adams “Rick” Biddle, 66, of Iuka, MS, and Florence, AL, died Thursday, April 27, 2017, at his residence in Florence, AL. Rick was born December 2, 1950, the son of Florence, Alabama broadcasting pioneer Richard “Dick” Biddle and Ruth Adams Biddle. He attended Georgia Military Academy in College Park, GA, and Bradshaw High School in Florence, AL. He also attended the University of North Alabama, where he was a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity, and later endowed the Richard B. Biddle Scholarship Fund. Rick was a lifelong television and radio broadcaster. He spent his early career working for his father at WOWL radio and later WOWL TV stations. During the 1970’s, Rick spent time employed as operations manager and sales manager at TV stations in West Palm Beach, Fort Pierce, and Tequesta, FL. He later returned to his hometown of Florence, AL, to help his father run WOWL until it was sold in the mid-1990’s. Following the sale of WOWL TV in Florence, Rick started Biddle & Sons Communications in Iuka, which is comprised of WOWL Fun 91.9 and WADI 95.3 The Bee radio stations. He was a member of the National Association of Broadcasters, and was published in Broadcasting Magazine. Rick was known for his abundant generosity and hospitable nature. He was a wonderful chef, and loved to cook for and feed his friends and family. He was a lover of animals, and was especially fond of his beloved schnauzers. Rick’s true passion was boating and life on the water. He held a U. S. Coast Guard Captain’s License, and treasured his time spent on the Tennessee River and Gulf of Mexico with his friends and family. He was also a huge Alabama football fan, and spent many Saturdays cheering on the Crimson Tide. Rick loved to travel, and his grandchildren always loved going on trips with their “Bunk and Nena”. He was a lover of all music, and was a lifelong classic car enthusiast and collector. Of all the joys in his life, Rick’s greatest treasure was time spent in the company of his precious grandchildren, and his best friend and constant companion, his beloved Anita. “The ship will be protected now, lost no more, tossed about no longer, safe in a harbor to forever call home.” Funeral services are scheduled for 1:00 p.m., Saturday, April 29, at Cutshall Funeral Home Chapel in Iuka, officiated by Rev. Kerry Powell. Visitation is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. until service time at the funeral home on Saturday. Cutshall Funeral Home of Iuka, MS is entrusted with arrangements. He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Dianne Cutshall Biddle of Iuka; two sons, Beau Biddle (Linda) of Germantown, MD, and Brian Biddle (Tammy) of Iuka; three stepsons, Bo Murphy (Joley) and Brett Brewster (Tonya), both of Iuka, and Max Brewster of Washington, D.C.; and five grandchildren, Johnathan Murphy of Oxford, Wheeler Brewster, of Iuka, Nellie Biddle of Starkville, and Everett Brewster and Lilah Grace Murphy, both of Iuka. He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard “Dick” and Ruth Adams Biddle; and a sister, Holly Biddle. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the animal shelter of the donor’s choice. An online guestbook can be accessed at www.cutshallfuneralhome.com.