Rick Bradfield

Richard M. “Rick” Bradfield— dedicated father and domestic partner, mentor to hundreds of young or aspiring journalists and titan of local news— died suddenly Thursday, September 2 at home in Lorena, Texas, of a heart attack. He was 66.

Rick’s life will be celebrated at First Presbyterian Church, Friday September 17 at 1 p.m. with a visitation to follow. The family and church ask that all those wishing to attend the service wear masks to ensure the safety of everyone in attendance. Those wishing to attend can register at https://www.firstpreswaco.org/memorial-services, and those unable to attend in person may attend via ZOOM from the same site. Please register before Monday so the church can make adequate accommodations for the crowd. Comfortable shoes are recommended.

A prolific and talented writer, some of what is written below are Rick’s own words— penned on the 45th anniversary of his start at KWTX-TV Channel 10 in Waco, TX.

Rick was born September 27, 1954 in Boulder, Colorado, the son of Robert M. “Bob” Bradfield and Betty H Bradfield. He spent his youth reveling in Colorado’s beauty: hiking, camping, skiing, climbing and mountaineering. Earning his Eagle Scout at 12, Rick had a deep commitment to helping others. At 16 he lied about his age and joined the Rocky Mountain Rescue Group— an all-volunteer group that assists and rescues stranded or lost hikers and climbers.

In 1972, Rick “loaded up [his] robin’s egg blue VW Squareback and left Boulder headed South in search of higher education” at Baylor University. At the time he didn’t know that his mother’s family had a long history at Baylor and in Waco, including an interim president of Baylor University who became Waco’s first traffic fatality. After discovering an aversion to calculus, and at the urging of a writing professor, Rick switched to journalism and found his calling. He worked at the Baylor Lariat, then the Marlin Democrat until he got a tip from then- Journalism chair David McHam to apply for a job at KWTX-TV.

Rick never planned to stay in Waco but said it was “a good news town.” Rick breathed journalism like smoke from a Marlboro Light. His life was guided by his attention to detail, dedication to the truth and a work ethic familiar to anyone with a deadline. Coworkers remember him as a brilliant writer, exacting editor, caring mentor, and champion trashcan kicker— the very picture of an old-school journalist. Friends and family recall his incredible sense of humor, as well as his ability to devour four thick books a week and race through the New York Times crossword puzzle— often while riding a stationary bicycle.

His experiences after 45 years at KWTX would fill a book, but he summarized it in part
writing:

“I’ve been threatened, cursed, sued, deposed, interrogated and pinned against a pickup truck by a 1,500-pound buffalo. I saw the first lick of flame leap from the Branch Davidian compound, and I heard the first chilling calls for help after the deadly explosion at the fertilizer plant in West. I’ve chased tornadoes, flown fast and low in helicopters and tried not to puke in small planes. I’ve mastered every possible combination of the seven words you can’t say on TV and a couple of more you can. My phone was tapped once, and as a bonus I got free call waiting afterward. I’ve interviewed hookers and strippers, politicians of all persuasions, fuming farmers, angry taxpayers, KKK kleagles, anti-nuclear protesters, Bob Hope, LBJ’s brother, Gloria Steinem, the father of the hydrogen bomb and some original members of the Texas Playboys.”

Most recently Rick directed his energies towards covering and tracking the ongoing COVID- 19 crisis in Central Texas, a project which caused him significant stress and heartache. He often said, “these aren’t just numbers. These are people.” Besides his KWTX responsibilities, Rick also devoted 25 years to teaching broadcast writing to a generation of Baylor journalism students and fostering their career successes and supervised many an intern at KWTX-TV. Rick married Lisa Love Campbell shortly after college on Dec. 29, 1979 in Mobile Alabama. She taught Rick to love the sand and the sun of Gulf Shores, even if she never came around to Colorado’s snow. In 1990 they adopted their son Robert Campbell Bradfield who followed his father into Baylor’s Journalism program. Lisa died after a long and bitter battle with pancreatic cancer in 2012.

After Lisa’s death Rick began a relationship with Cassy Burleson, who encouraged his love of reading, good conversations, music (especially The Grateful Dead), watching fireworks, poetry readings, movies, PBS, NPR, concerts, zoos, travel – and dogs. Rick returned Cassy’s love in the volumes of daily love letters he gave her every holiday, always signing, “Love you more today. Less than tomorrow.”

Rick was also preceded in death by his parents Bob Bradfield (2013) and Betty Bradfield (2001) of Boulder, CO, and his in-laws Robert Terry Campbell (2014) and Melite Bain Campbell (2009) of Big Canoe, Georgia.

He is survived by his son Robert C Bradfield of Waco, sister Nancy Bradfield of Erie, CO, his beloved partner Cassy Burleson of Lorena and their dog B— as well as the host of students, friends, coworkers, and journalists whose lives he touched.

In lieu of flowers the family is asking that people wishing to honor Rick’s memory support their local news outlets, read beyond the headlines before commenting, or failing that buy a local journalist a sandwich, a beer, or a cup of coffee.

For those wishing to make financial contributions that will continue to foster the next generation of reporters and writers, the family is establishing the Rick Bradfield Scholarship Award to encourage investigative reporting in student journalism. KWTX-TV is also establishing an internship in Rick’s honor. Details on both will be forthcoming from the family and KWTX family.