Fred Sherman
Encyclopedia
Fred Sherman was an American
economist
, businessman and business commentator based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
. Sherman broadcast as a business commentator on KYW News Radio for more than 25 years until his retirement in January 2009 due to budget cuts at the station. He was known to radio and television audiences for his trademark sign-off, "I'm Fred Sherrrrrman."
Sherman was born in Brooklyn, New York, to parents, Nathan and Eva (née
Josephthal) Sherman. His father owned a candy store, while his mother was a teacher
. He graduated from Washington Heights High School in the Bronx and took courses at New York University
, but did not earn a degree from NYU. He would later enroll at Temple University
.
Sherman enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II
, and served in the 82d Airborne Army Rangers. Sherman flew missions over Nazi-occupied France before and after the 1944 D-Day Invasion.
Sherman considered becoming a journalist
following World War II, but began working at his father-in-law
furniture business instead. He left his furniture business when he was 60 years old and obtained his stockbroker's license the same year. He eventually became the chief economist
for both Sovereign Bank
and Royal Bank America, which is based in Narberth, Pennsylvania
.
Sherman became involved with radio as a business commentator during the 1980s. Sherman contacted Don Lancer, the business and financial
editor
of KYW 1060
radio, noting that the station's coverage of financial news
was dull. Sherman told Lancer that he could make KYW's coverage more lively and entertaining. Sherman was hired by Lancer after an audition. He used humor, irreverence and wit to reach his audiences.
Sherman was known for his trademark, elongated sign-off, "I'm Fred Sherrrrrman", at the end of his commentaries. He began saying his name that way after hearing another reporter use the same speaking style. The sign-off, which earned Sherman both praise and citicism, made Sherman into a local celebrity in the Philadelphia region.
Sherman remained as a business commentator at KYW for twenty-five years, until KYW cut his commentaries in January 2009, citing financial constraints. Sherman also appeared on The Money Show on WPEN (AM)
and contributed weekly television business segments to the Sunday morning news on WCAU NBC 10
.
Fred Sherman, a resident of King of Prussia, Pennsylvania
, died on September 12, 2009, at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
in Philadelphia at the age of 86. Sherman had suffered from several health problems, including kidney ailments, and injuries from a car accident several weeks before his death may have contributed to his declining health. He suffered the car accident shortly after returning from a trip to Europe in July 2009, and had been hospitalized on several occasions since the accident.
Sherman was survived by his longtime fiancee, Diane Williams. The couple had met 17 years prior to his death when Williams approached Sherman for financial advice at one of his speeches. He was also survived by his son, David Sherman. Another of his sons, Henry Sherman, died in 2000.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
economist
Economist
An economist is a professional in the social science discipline of economics. The individual may also study, develop, and apply theories and concepts from economics and write about economic policy...
, businessman and business commentator based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
. Sherman broadcast as a business commentator on KYW News Radio for more than 25 years until his retirement in January 2009 due to budget cuts at the station. He was known to radio and television audiences for his trademark sign-off, "I'm Fred Sherrrrrman."
Sherman was born in Brooklyn, New York, to parents, Nathan and Eva (née
NEE
NEE is a political protest group whose goal was to provide an alternative for voters who are unhappy with all political parties at hand in Belgium, where voting is compulsory.The NEE party was founded in 2005 in Antwerp...
Josephthal) Sherman. His father owned a candy store, while his mother was a teacher
Teacher
A teacher or schoolteacher is a person who provides education for pupils and students . The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional...
. He graduated from Washington Heights High School in the Bronx and took courses at New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
, but did not earn a degree from NYU. He would later enroll at Temple University
Temple University
Temple University is a comprehensive public research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Originally founded in 1884 by Dr. Russell Conwell, Temple University is among the nation's largest providers of professional education and prepares the largest body of professional...
.
Sherman enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, and served in the 82d Airborne Army Rangers. Sherman flew missions over Nazi-occupied France before and after the 1944 D-Day Invasion.
Sherman considered becoming a journalist
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
following World War II, but began working at his father-in-law
Father-in-law
A parent-in-law is a person who has a legal affinity with another by being the parent of the other's spouse. Many cultures and legal systems impose duties and responsibilities on persons connected by this relationship...
furniture business instead. He left his furniture business when he was 60 years old and obtained his stockbroker's license the same year. He eventually became the chief economist
Chief economist
The Chief Economist is a single position job class having primary responsibility for the development, coordination, and production of economic and financial analysis...
for both Sovereign Bank
Sovereign Bank
Sovereign Bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Spanish Grupo Santander. Based in Boston, Massachusetts, the bank—whose principal market is in the Northeastern United States—has more than $77 billion in assets, operates 723 retail banking offices, over 2,300 ATMs and employs approximately 8,500...
and Royal Bank America, which is based in Narberth, Pennsylvania
Narberth, Pennsylvania
Narberth is a borough in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 4,282 at the 2010 census.-History:Narberth is located on a parcel of land originally deeded to Edward Rees , who arrived from Wales in 1682. A portion of this original tract became the farm of Edward R...
.
Sherman became involved with radio as a business commentator during the 1980s. Sherman contacted Don Lancer, the business and financial
FINANCIAL
FINANCIAL is the weekly English-language newspaper with offices in Tbilisi, Georgia and Kiev, Ukraine. Published by Intelligence Group LLC, FINANCIAL is focused on opinion leaders and top business decision-makers; It's about world’s largest companies, investing, careers, and small business. It is...
editor
Editing
Editing is the process of selecting and preparing written, visual, audible, and film media used to convey information through the processes of correction, condensation, organization, and other modifications performed with an intention of producing a correct, consistent, accurate, and complete...
of KYW 1060
KYW (AM)
KYW is a class A AM radio station on 1060 kHz licensed to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. KYW is owned by the CBS Radio unit of CBS Corporation, and has broadcasted an all-news format since 1965. The station's studios are located on Market Street in Center City Philadelphia, and it transmitters...
radio, noting that the station's coverage of financial news
Financial News
The Financial News, is a financial newspaper and news website published in London. It is a weekly investment banking, fund management and securities industries newspaper, published by eFinancial News Limited. Financial News was founded in 1996....
was dull. Sherman told Lancer that he could make KYW's coverage more lively and entertaining. Sherman was hired by Lancer after an audition. He used humor, irreverence and wit to reach his audiences.
Sherman was known for his trademark, elongated sign-off, "I'm Fred Sherrrrrman", at the end of his commentaries. He began saying his name that way after hearing another reporter use the same speaking style. The sign-off, which earned Sherman both praise and citicism, made Sherman into a local celebrity in the Philadelphia region.
Sherman remained as a business commentator at KYW for twenty-five years, until KYW cut his commentaries in January 2009, citing financial constraints. Sherman also appeared on The Money Show on WPEN (AM)
WPEN (AM)
WPEN is an AM radio station broadcast on 950 kHz. The station is licensed to Philadelphia and serves that market. WPEN is owned and operated by Greater Media and offers a Sports Talk format. The station is known as "950 ESPN"-The Early Years:...
and contributed weekly television business segments to the Sunday morning news on WCAU NBC 10
WCAU
WCAU, channel 10, is an owned-and-operated television station of the NBC Television Network, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. WCAU has its studios on the border between Philadelphia and Bala Cynwyd. It broadcasts a high definition digital signal on UHF channel 34 from a transmitter in the...
.
Fred Sherman, a resident of King of Prussia, Pennsylvania
King of Prussia, Pennsylvania
King of Prussia is a census-designated place in Upper Merion Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. As of the 2010 census, its population was 19,936. The community took its name in the 18th century from a local tavern named the King of Prussia Inn, which was named after...
, died on September 12, 2009, at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania is a hospital affiliated with the University of Pennsylvania Health System located in the University City section of West Philadelphia. The hospital was founded at its current location in 1874 by the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine,...
in Philadelphia at the age of 86. Sherman had suffered from several health problems, including kidney ailments, and injuries from a car accident several weeks before his death may have contributed to his declining health. He suffered the car accident shortly after returning from a trip to Europe in July 2009, and had been hospitalized on several occasions since the accident.
Sherman was survived by his longtime fiancee, Diane Williams. The couple had met 17 years prior to his death when Williams approached Sherman for financial advice at one of his speeches. He was also survived by his son, David Sherman. Another of his sons, Henry Sherman, died in 2000.