+ − Contact Information
Email Address: Funke@nysenate.gov
Office Address:
Legislative Office Building,
Room 302
Albany, NY 12247
+ − Biography
Rich was born in Batavia and attended Pembroke High School where he earned all-county honors in football. He attended Adelphi University where he played quarterback and received his bachelor’s degree in Business.
While at Adelphi he joined the University Radio station and fell in love with the Business of Broadcasting. During the summer in between semesters he landed a job as a disc jockey at hometown radio station WBTA in Batavia. By the time he was a senior in college he was working fulltime at the Long Island Radio News Network.
After college, Rich joined WHAM Radio and wound up being the first reporter on the scene at the Attica Prison Riots in 1971. In 1972 he was named News Director at WAXC Radio and in 1974 became Sports Director at WHEC 10.
In 1980 Rich left Rochester to join WTVJ in Miami but missing the quality of life Rochester has to offer, he returned a year later and has been at NEWS10 NBC ever since. In 2005, he left the sports chair to become primary anchor of the evening news at 5, 6, 7 and 11 p.m.
Rich has covered numerous national events including Final Fours, Superbowls and the 5 year anniversary of 9/11.
He has won a variety of awards including a Florida Emmy Award, numerous sportscaster of the year awards in New York State and an Edward R. Murrow Award for Best TV Newscast. Rich was inducted into the New York State Broadcasters Hall of Fame in December 2012.
Rich has done play by play for the Rochester Knighthawks and Amerks along with local college and high school football and basketball during his career.
In the community, Rich has devoted his time to Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong where he has co-hosted the annual Telethon since its inception. He has served on the boards of Cancer Action and Ronald McDonald House and hosts a monthly radio show for Camp Good Days and Special times. He is a member of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Foundation and serves as a Lector at St. John of Rochester Church.
Rich is a member of the Frontier Field Walk of Fame, the Section 5 football and basketball Halls of Fame ,the Chase Scholarship Basketball tournament Hall of Fame and the Rochester Americans Hall of Fame and the New York State Broadcasters Hall of Fame.
Rich retired from News10 NBC in December 2012 after a 44 year career in Broadcasting. He has has been married to his wife Patricia for 43 years.
+ − Committees (7)
NY - Cities (Senate)
Title:
Member
NY - Civil Service and Pensions (Senate)
Title:
Ranking Member
NY - Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation (Senate)
Title:
Ranking Member
NY - Elections (Senate)
Title:
Ranking Member
NY - Energy and Telecommunications (Senate)
Title:
Member
NY - Health (Senate)
Title:
Member
NY - Labor (Senate)
Title:
Member
