Nelson Sears

Nelson Sears (June 6, 1926 – December 7, 2021) was an American television broadcaster. He was known as one of the pioneers and founders of WGAL in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, who signed it on the air in March 1949 and was the station's first employee. While there, he held many positions at the station ranging from being a news anchor, reporter, weathercaster, promotions manager, program director, & pitch man. He covered many stories around the Susquehanna Valley in his 45–year career with WGAL-TV.

Career

Before becoming the first employee and pioneer of broadcasting at WGAL, Sears was enlisted in the Navy in June 1943 and served until August 1947 proudly. While in the navy, He bore witness to the Normandy invasion and saw combat during the second Battle of the Philippines and the Battle of Okinawa. After the war was over, Nelson never failed to note that the Japanese and Americans were happy that the war ended.

Following the war, Sears studied voice, general acting and management. In 1949, defying the odds, he received employment with WGAL and along with other WGAL pioneers and founders, signed WGAL on the air in March 1949 and where Sears presented the first newscast along with many positions there as an anchor, reporter, weathercaster, program director, & promotions manager. Early in his career with WGAL, Nelson Sears covered a mine collapse as he crawled under the tracks of the drilling device in order to record the scene. Sears retired from WGAL in 1994 after 45 years at the station.

He loved people most of all. He was a Mason, served on the Millersville University Board of Trustees, and the board of the Urban League of Lancaster. His many hobbies consisted of music, reading, chess, beekeeping, & violin making.

On Dec 16, 2016, Nelson Sears was inducted into the WGAL Hall of Fame along with other WGAL pioneers who were also inducted and honored for creating the foundation and legacy of WGAL.

Personal info

He was the only son of Mary Adeline Sutherland Sears and Joe Sears. A resident of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Nelson Sears died on Dec 5, 2021 at age 95. He was preceded in death by his wife Sara Alice Sears of 67 years; daughter Loretta Racine Sears; and his sisters Anna Mae Rohrbach and Hilda Orwick (nee Hammers). He is survived by his son Randall and his wife Robin, son Russell and his wife Carol, five granddaughters, one step-granddaughter, and four step-great-grandchildren.