Obituary for Richard "Rich" Babl

BABL, Richard "Rich", a well known public relations and marketing professional in South Florida for more than 40 years, died last week in Tampa due to complications associated with Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. He was 72.

Babl was born April, 5, 1940 in Iowa, and was a graduate of the University of Iowa with a BS in mass communications. He relocated to Miami in the mid 1960s, where he was initially employed as a program manager at WVCG radio. In 1968 he joined the University of Miami as associate director of public relations, and became the director of communications for Miami International Airport in 1973. Subsequently, Babl served as a senior account executive with Bruce Rubin Associates and vice president of public relations and advertising at American Title Insurance Company. During recent years Babl supported the public relations and marketing efforts at Kiskinis Communications as an outside counselor. He had a keen ability to mentor and teach young professionals. In addition to his background in aviation, Babl was highly knowledgeable of the automotive industry. According to a friend, "when it came to selecting a new car, the first step was to call Rich for facts, figures and his recommendation." He was an active member of numerous business, tourism and aviation organizations, including the Greater Miami Aviation Association. He was also a past president of the South Florida Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America. Babl was a great lover of music, travel, cars, planes, and humor.

He is survived by his sister Mary Rose Hindt of Rock Rapids and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held in his hometown, Rock Rapids, Iowa.

Read more here: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/Herald/obituary.aspx?n=Richard-Babl-Rich&pid=161135523#storylink=cpy

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Published in The Miami Herald on November 19, 2012