News – Sheridan Media
Sheridan Media is mourning the loss of its founder, former owner, and longtime voice, Kim Love, who passed away Saturday, May 24th at Sheridan Memorial Hospital. A true pioneer in local broadcasting, a tireless advocate for community causes, and an unbelievable philanthropist, Kim leaves behind a legacy defined by leadership, generosity, and deep commitment to Sheridan and the surrounding region.
Born and raised in St. Louis, Kim’s lifelong connection to Wyoming began in childhood, when his family spent summers at Paradise Ranch outside of Buffalo. That bond deepened in high school when his father, Bud Love, purchased the UM Ranch—land that would later become the Bud Love Big Game Habitat Unit following Bud’s passing in 1968.
Never one to be silenced or easily categorized, Kim’s wit, intellect, and curiosity were evident from an early age. After a brief and, in his own words, “challenging” run at a St. Louis high school, he thrived at a boarding school in New Hampshire, where he served as editor of both the school newspaper and yearbook. He later attended the University of Virginia, interrupting his studies to voluntarily join the U.S. Army at the height of the Vietnam War—a decision he considered among the most formative of his life. It was during this time he developed a lifelong love of reading and learning.
After graduating from UVA with a degree in economics, Kim moved to Wyoming to explore ranching but soon found his calling elsewhere. In 1974, with two partners, he purchased KROE Radio in Sheridan—a small AM station with minimal audience share, housed in a double-wide trailer on what was then known as “Dump Road.”
With no formal broadcasting experience but plenty of grit and determination, Kim stepped in as general manager and began building something remarkable. Sheridan Media, as it would later be known, grew into a multi-platform organization encompassing nine radio stations, a weekly publication (The Country Bounty), and two digital news platforms.
Kim understood early on that community service and strong local journalism were the backbone of any successful media outlet. He built a team of passionate sales and on-air professionals, mentored broadcasters, and involved himself and the station in virtually every aspect of community life. His efforts were recognized on both the state and national level, as KROE became the first Wyoming radio station to receive the prestigious Crystal Award from the National Association of Broadcasters. His news and public service programming garnered numerous awards from the Wyoming Association of Broadcasters.
In 1975, he launched Public Pulse, Sheridan’s first hour-long public affairs radio program. He hosted the show for more than four decades—until his retirement from the mic on his 72nd birthday in August 2017.
Following his retirement from Sheridan Media, Kim made the extraordinary decision to form an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), ensuring that the company would be owned by the very people who helped build it. The move cemented his belief in the value of employee contributions and created a sustainable, local future for Sheridan Media under the leadership of its staff. It was one final and lasting gift to the people he had worked alongside for decades.
Kim’s commitment to Sheridan didn’t end at the studio door. He was instrumental in the creation and growth of the Sheridan Public Arts Committee, serving as its chair. Thanks in part to his vision and advocacy, Sheridan now boasts one of the largest permanent outdoor sculpture collections in the region, including standout pieces like Leonardo’s Horse, Interconnection by Allan Houser, and Bird Woman by Richard Greeves.
His other service roles included trustee of Whitney Benefits, board member of the Sheridan-Johnson Community Foundation, School District #2 trustee, elder at the First Presbyterian Church, and past president of the Lions Club and the Wyoming Association of Broadcasters.
In 1998, Kim married Mary Kay Knickrehm —a partnership he often described as the best decision of his life. Friends and colleagues note the calm and grace Mary Kay brought into Kim’s busy, sometimes cantankerous world.
In 2010, Kim turned his attention to revitalizing downtown Sheridan, opening Frackelton’s, a fine-dining restaurant in a once-vacant Main Street building. What began as a personal challenge turned into one of Wyoming’s top-rated restaurants and a catalyst for downtown’s renaissance.
Then came Dining for a Cause—perhaps the most powerful example of Kim’s philanthropic heart. With support from Sheridan Media and Frackelton’s, Kim launched this unique fundraiser by donating all proceeds—including tips—from a full day of business to a local nonprofit, Dining for a Cause has raised over a million dollars, matched by hundreds of thousands in donor contributions, benefiting groups like The Food Group, the Salvation Army, the Sheridan Library, Search and Rescue, and many others.….. In just one evening in early 2025, the program raised more than $130,000 for The Food Group.
Kim lived life with bold enthusiasm and a deep sense of responsibility to others. Whether dressing as Santa for local kids, walking his pet camel Clyde in parades, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, or skydiving in New Zealand, he lived fully and gave generously. His adventures were many, but his greatest legacy is right here in Sheridan—in the lives and institutions he touched.
Kim was preceded in death by son Alex and sister Christy. And is survived by his wife Mary Kay, daughter Betsy and brother Dr Charles Love (Linda). His memory lives on in the organization he built, the employees he empowered, the nonprofits he supported, and the community he helped shape and dearly loved. Sheridan Media extends heartfelt condolences to the Love family and invites the public to share their memories of Kim—a broadcaster, a builder, a leader, and one of Sheridan’s most impactful philanthropists.
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Last modified: May 25, 2025