“We were very close,” said Rudolph Pate, who retired from NCSU in 1985 as vice chancellor for development and university relations. He and Mr. Park became friends in the 1940s when Mr. Pate was the university’s public relations representative and Mr. Park was working with the Cotton Growers Cooperative Association. The families have visited in each other’s homes over the years.
“He seemed to thrive on work. It made him tick,” Mr. Pate said in the News & Observer. “He shied away from any mention of wealth.”
Frank Daniels, publisher of the Raleigh News & Observer, called my father “a remarkable builder who built quite an empire in radio and television, then devoted himself to acquiring newspapers throughout North Carolina and around the country and knit them into a viable, strong organization.”
Other comments from friends and associates in his native state included: William C. Friday, former president of The University of North Carolina, who said, “Among North Carolina’s illustrious achievers during this half century, none stands taller than Roy Park. Native born, his attention to his homeland never varied and his great talents were constantly in the service of Commonwealth. Always of good humor and with a generous heart, he moved among his peers sharing of himself gladly in the service of others. We shall greatly miss this warm and kindly man who was admired by so many of his fellow Carolinians.”
Larry K. Monteith, Chancellor of North Carolina State University, who said, “Roy had added to the great strengths and excellence of all functions of the University, including his distinguished service as a trustee, as president of the Alumni Association, longtime chairman of the Development Council and generous supporter. While he was chairman of the Development Council, he generated literally millions of dollars of support from virtually every county in North Carolina and outside the state. He is one of the greatest graduates the university has ever produced, and is one of America’s greatest entrepreneurs. He loved his alma mater and serviced it nobly. Among the university facilities that has benefited from Roy’s generosity is the D.H. Hill Library. He was an advisor to four chancellors, a leader, and was prominent in advancing his alma mater. He was a friend and benefactor who will be missed deeply.”
From Governor James B. Hunt, State of North Carolina, who stated, “Roy was a special friend to me, a small-town boy who achieved great things, but never forgot his roots. We shared a deep love of our native state, and a lifelong devotion to our alma mater, North Carolina State University. He supported the University with his time, his talent, and his treasure, whether serving on the Board of Trustees, heading up fund-raising campaigns, or just making suggestions about what the University needed to be doing. Roy’s newspapers, radio, and television stations enriched and informed our state. Most importantly, Roy’s energy and enterprise inspired everyone who came into contact with him. He was a deserving recipient of our highest honor for service to the state, North Carolina Award. I will truly miss him.”
John McNair, III, former chairman, Wachovia Bank, said, “Roy Park’s career is not unlike a novel, from a crossroads-reared young man in rural North Carolina to one of our country’s most successful and recognized entrepreneurs. The amazing trait he always honored is the fact he never forgot his roots. He was always a gentleman and most importantly a true and loyal friend to a host of men and women all across our nations. He will be missed by each one of them.”
James K. Dorsett, Jr., attorney, Raleigh, said, “He was an exceptional person in almost every way, with great talent and wisdom, but complete integrity. He was trusted and liked by all of the people with whom he did business and from whom he made acquisitions. His capacity to do and his intuitions were so good. Additionally, he was just an enjoyable, interesting person to be with. It was a remarkable experience to know Roy.”
The comments from some of his managers included: From the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Wednesday, October 27, 1993, Executive Vice President / General Manager Rich Pegram, WTVRTV: “Mr. Park was intimately involved in knowing what was going on with the company…. He had an incredible mind for detail and knew the specifics of each operation….He was a true pioneer. He started this broadcast company when he was fifty-two, at a time when most people are thinking of retiring…. [His death] is a shock. He was one of those larger-than-life people you assume will go on forever.”
From the Post Standard, Syracuse, New York, Wednesday, October 27, 1993, Vice President of Newspaper Operations Robert J. Rossi, Park Communications, Inc.: “You find very few people with his drive and dynamic approach. There aren’t very many of him left in the country.”
From the Press & Sun Bulletin, Binghamton, New York, Wednesday, October 27, 1993, Regional Coordinator Chester P. Middlesworth, Park Communications North Carolina Newspaper: “He was a workaholic who never worked a day in his life because he enjoyed everything he did in the business world….I’ve known him to wear as many as six watches at one time. I’ve seen him with two watches on one arm, another watch on the other arm, a pocket watch and cufflinks that were watches….He was always a stickler on time….As we would be driving down the road, he would be handing me pieces of paper and asking my comments on them even though I was driving seventy mph.”
From Binghamton’s Evening Press on August 3, 1983, “Work is his recreation, not just his job,” said former senator Sam Ervin, who was a director of one of Park’s papers in Morganton, NC.
From educators: Professor Rick Wright, Jr., S.I. Newhouse School of Communications at Syracuse University, said, “I think we’ve just seen the last breed in Mr. Park…where we had one person who controlled it all. He was definitely one of a kind.”
Others said: Chairman and CEO Erland Kailbourne, Fleet Bank, wrote, “I just wanted to drop you a note to extend my deepest condolences on the passing of your father.
“As you know, I had the privilege of knowing him for the past twenty years, and he truly was an individual that set his own pace and direction. During the past twenty years I, of course, have seen the significant changes that occurred at the First National Bank of Ithaca, Security New York State Corporation, as well as the Norstar organization as it evolved to the current Fleet configuration. Roy, too, witnessed and was a significant part of the chain of events.
“I also had many enjoyable breakfasts and lunches with him in Ithaca as we discussed a number of business subjects over the years. He was an individual that I will never forget.”
And Senator Alfonse M. D’Amato from Washington wrote, “I would like to offer my heartfelt condolences for your loss and indeed the New York community’s loss.
“Mr. Park’s life is the epitome of the American success story. Rising form humble beginnings in a rural farm community, his hard work mixed with savvy business skills allowed him to build an extensive communications company. But Mr. Park not only contributed greatly to the strength and vitality of America through his business endeavors, he followed the altruistic spirit that is the hallmark of so many of our entrepreneurial leaders. He remained an active and committed force in education, serving in various capacities with Ithaca College, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Cornell University. I salute Roy H. Park for the tremendous contributions he made throughout his life. I know he will be sorely missed.”
President James J. Whalen, Ithaca College, said, “Roy had that rare combination of business genius and personal insight that enabled superb service to his industry and to education….He was always there for me and for Ithaca College, and we will miss him very much….Roy had an appreciation of undergraduate education. He really liked students. Most of all he enjoyed challenges. He saw education as a challenge…[we often discussed] what it takes to educate young people. We used to talk all the time about being able to read and write well and articulate. He provided a lot of direction for the institution….Roy was one of those people who liked to cut to the chase. He was a very efficient guy and used his time well. When you were working with Roy, it was high intensity (and) it was stimulating. One time he said something I won’t forget. He started to say, ‘Time is…’ I thought he was going to say, ‘Time is money,’ but instead he said, ‘Time is time.’ That was sort of a measure of the guy. That always impressed me a lot.”
