Howard Dorgan, researcher of Central Appalachian religion and its radio shows, dies at 80

UPDATE, July 27: A memorial service with tributes and Appalachian music will be held Saturday, Aug. 25 from 2 to 3 p.m. in the Calloway Peak room in the student union at Appalachian State.

Howard Dorgan, whose studies of religion in Appalachia brought him many honors, died on July 5, his 80th birthday, at his home in Boone, N.C. Born in Ruston, La., he earned a Ph.D. in speech communication from Louisiana State University and in 1971 joined the Appalachian State University Department of Communication, where he remained until he retired in 2000. His work on Central Appalachian Baptist communities resulted in numerous books and awards, including the 1993 Thomas Wolfe Literary Award for Airwaves of Zion, his book about religious radio programming in the region. He edited the religious section of the Encyclopedia of Appalachia. Dorgan is survived by his wife, Kathleen, and two children. A memorial service will be held later at Appalachian State, where his papers are housed.