Longtime Wyoming and CSU radio announcer Rich Bircumshaw dies

Rich Bircumshaw

Sports fans across the states of Wyoming and Colorado, as well as throughout the Mountain West Conference, were saddened to hear the news of the passing of beloved radio broadcaster Rich Bircumshaw on Wednesday night.

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Bircumshaw, who was a former Wyoming and Colorado Broadcaster of the Year, most recently served as the radio play-by-play announcer for Colorado State University football and men’s basketball.

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Prior to his 10-years announcing CSU games, he was a longtime broadcaster in Riverton and Casper, and served as part of the broadcast team for Wyoming Radio Network coverage of University of Wyoming Athletics.

Bircumshaw suffered a stroke in his sleep on Tuesday night and passed away Wednesday evening at the Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland, Colo.

Having been affiliated with both programs making up the Wyoming-Colorado State rivalry, he had many friends and fans on both sides of the border. Upon his return to Wyoming’s Arena-Auditorium for Wyoming-CSU basketball games, the love Wyoming fans had for him could often be seen as they would come down to the edge of the court to shake his hand, visit with him and share old stories.

Dave Walsh, “Voice of the Wyoming Cowboys”, worked with Bircumshaw on Wyoming broadcasts for years and has many memories of his friend.

“One thing I will remember most about Rich was he made me laugh,” said Walsh. “He had such a great personality, and you always felt better after spending some time with Rich.

“He was a very genuine, honest person off the air, and those traits came across in his broadcasts. No one worked harder at his craft. Over the last 10 years that Rich was at Colorado State, we still talked all the time. On football Saturdays, no matter where each of us were broadcasting from, we would call each other and compare notes.

“Rich was a loveable character, and I will miss him a lot. He was one of a kind.”

University of Wyoming senior associate athletics director Kevin McKinney knew Bircumshaw from his earliest days of broadcasting in Wyoming.

“First and foremost, Rich was a great friend,” said McKinney. “He loved Wyoming, and was beloved by people across this state.

“Rich was the consummate professional. He was always extremely well-prepared, and was always enthusiastic. He had a great wit, and would do anything for his friends. He will be missed by all of us.”

UW Athletics Director Tom Burman remembers Bircumshaw both from Burman’s days in college at UW and then later as an administrator in the Wyoming Athletics Department.

“When I think of Rich, I think of how passionate he was about the teams he covered,” said Burman. “His passion for broadcasting and the pride he took in doing his job well were evident in the success he had over the years and the respect he had from coaches, players and fans.

“Whether it was talking to Rich before a game, or listening to him on the radio, he made me smile.”

Bircumshaw was born in Park City, Utah, on June 30, 1954. He is survived by his wife Wendy Lange, his sister Roberta King, his brother John and sister-in-law Georgia, nephew Christopher, nieces Jennifer and Angela, and many other great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Mary D. and Richard F. Bircumshaw of Salt Lake City, Utah.

A memorial service will be held for Bircumshaw on Monday at the 1 p.m. at the Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 West Olive, in Fort Collins, Colo. Details of the memorial and donation information follow.

Rich Bircumshaw Arrangements
• Viewing Sunday, 1-5 p.m., Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 West Olive, Fort Collins, Colo.
• Memorial service Monday, 1 p.m.; Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 West Olive, Fort Collins, Colo.
• In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in the name of Rich Bircumshaw to the Colorado State General Athletic Scholarship Fund. Checks should be made payable to the CSU Foundation, and sent to the Ram Club Office, 101 McGraw Athletic Center; Fort Collins, CO 80523-0120. For more information, call 970/491-4666.