Longtime WITF radio show producer, host announces retirement plans

A longtime local public affairs radio show host indicated on Facebook his plans to retire in May.

Scott LaMar, host and executive producer of “The Spark,” formerly called “Smart Talk,” on WITF-FM in Harrisburg since 2008, dropped the news in a Facebook post on Thursday that he would be retiring in 2024.

He said he has been talking about retirement for the past year but recently settled on a time to do it when he turns 66 at the end of May.

“The reason I decided to do it now is that we call it or describe it as ‘feeding the beast’ — every day scheduling guests and preparing. Even though I enjoy it, I’m just looking forward to being able to relax a little bit,” LaMar said. “I’m still healthy and able to do it. I’d like to do some things here at home and do some traveling with my wife.”

He may not be ready to put down the microphone completely though as he is giving some thought to doing a podcast interviewing authors.

LaMar, with his unflappable demeanor and quick wit, has attracted a strong fan base, displaying a well-rounded knowledge of countless topics from what’s happening at the state Capitol to Amish mud sales and having a knack for asking questions that can make even a mundane topic sound interesting.

One Facebook commenter responded to the retirement announcement, telling LaMar that it comes “when you are at the top of your game.”

LaMar has worked in the broadcasting business, both radio and television, since 1977. He has been a staple at WITF for almost 32 years. Thinking back, he estimates he has hosted more than 3,200 radio shows featuring at least 5,000 guests, he said.

Before hosting the radio show, he produced WITF’s award-winning weekly public affairs TV show “Smart Talk” from 2000 until 2009.

Along with his on-air duties, LaMar has emceed and moderated numerous events including political candidate debates featuring candidates running for governor and U.S. Senate. He also was a regular contributor to BBC World News TV before and after the 2020 presidential election, according to WITF’s website.

Among the awards he has won during his storied career are The American Society of Civil Engineers’ national Excellence in Journalism award in 2020, ADVOZ Lancaster’s “Dignity in Dialogue Award”, the South-Central Assembly’s “Regional Citizen Award” and The Humane Society of the United States/Pennsylvania’s “Humanitarian Hero.” He also has been nominated for five Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards.

LaMar, a Coatesville native, also has worked as a broadcast news anchor, sports play-by-play announcer and manager at earlier points in his career.

Jan Murphy may be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on X at @JanMurphy.