Donald H. Batting, a beloved WBZ NewsRadio broadcaster affectionately known as "Batman," died at age 94 on May 19, 2026. He was a consummate professional journalist, a devoted family man, and a wonderful human being.
A fixture in Boston broadcasting for over three decades, he was known for his booming radio voice. Don was especially enamored of radio for it meant being recognized by voice rather than appearance. In reporting, he could remain anonymous, which gave him time to learn more about a situation. At one time in the mid-70s his colleague and anchor, Dave Maynard, encouraged WBZ listeners to send in their drawings of what they thought Don looked like. One of them drew a very tall, big fellow with lots of hair. This was quite amusing to his friends and family.
During his storied 30-year tenure at WBZ, Don covered major historic moments for Greater Boston including the Blizzard of '78, the fire in Lynn, America Cup races, the Boston Marathon, Vietnam War protests, the trials of the Boston Strangler, Whitey Bulger and the Mafia, the desegregation of Boston schools, and the terms of Mayors Kevin White, Ray Flynn, and Tom Menino. He interviewed Malcom X, George Wallace, Albert de Salvo (in prison), the Kennedys, Arthur Fiedler, and many others. He also helped deliver two babies, one under a barroom table, the other in a car behind the State House. Don knew all the Boston politicians and law enforcement officers, becoming the first civilian to receive a commendation from the Drug Enforcement Administration. He was awarded an honorary badge by the Boston Police Department and was named an honorary chief by the Boston Fire Department. In 2015 he was inducted into the Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Fame.
In addition to his theatrical voice, Don had a great smile, sparkling blue eyes, and a very outgoing nature. He was a voracious reader of The Boston Globe, The New York Times, non-fiction books on local and national politicians and historical figures, and closely followed the news, especially politics, throughout his life. During his years at WBZ, he spent many weekends in New Hampshire, pursuing his love for skiing. He was served the first martini in the newly renovated bar at the Mt. Washington Hotel in Bretton Woods, NH. A plaque with his name on it is posted in the bar stating this. Martinis were his drink of choice, and it was a rite of passage for his family to have their first martini with him. He also enjoyed racquetball with various Boston newspeople and politicians.
Don was born and raised in Milton, MA, graduating from Milton High School, Leland Powers School of Radio, TV and Theater and Boston University College of Communication. Following graduation, he worked in radio and TV, first in Vermont with a two-year gap (1952-54) when he served in the Army Signal Corps in Germany. He finished his education at Boston University in 1957 before taking jobs in Connecticut, Ohio, Rhode Island, and Virginia. In 1965 Don joined WBZ in Boston where he was employed until his retirement in 1996.
Don raised his family in Medfield. One Christmas tradition was for Don to read The Night Before Christmas to his children, and later to his grandchildren. As a Medfield resident, he was a volunteer member of the Medfield Finance Committee, American Field Service, and Harding House for troubled teens. He was also the President of the BU School of Communications Alumni Association, AFTRA shop steward, and a board member of the Episcopal Bishops Conference on Camps and Conferences.
During his retirement, he continued his passions for reading, cooking, watching news, photography, walking the beach in Dennis, entertaining friends and family, attending theater, concerts (both jazz and classical), traveling to Europe, and keeping in touch with friends from the media. He used his voice again in narrating Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf arranged for 4-hand piano (Rita and a friend at the keyboard and performing for The Crescendo Club of Boston). A highlight of Don and Rita’s time together was a trip to Rome when Ray Flynn was the US Ambassador to the Vatican. He hosted them and arranged for their tickets to attend an audience in St. Peter’s Square, meeting and shaking hands with Pope John Paul II. A photo of this event hangs in Rita’s home.
Don’s legacy as a phenomenal journalist, humanist, and dedicated storyteller remains a deeply cherished part of Boston's media history.
He is survived by his companion of three decades, Rita S. Moerschel of Newton, his children Karen (Tim) Konicek of Harpswell, ME, Holly Batting (Michael Urban) of Walpole, MA, Jennifer Batting (Mike Tornesello) of Dubois, WY, and five grandchildren, Benjamin, Justin, Madeline, Emma and Samuel, and Rita’s children, Anna (Clay) Edwards and Jonathan (Josephine) Moerschel of Los Angeles, Jacob (Julie) Moerschel of Westwood, MA, and his sister Charlotte Taylor of Andover. He was predeceased by his parents, Kenneth and Aline Batting, his former wife, Priscilla Batting, and his late wife, Audrey Batting.
The family will host a Celebration of Life at Second Church in Newton, 60 Highland Street, West Newton on October 24 at 2 pm. Interment will be private. The service will be streamed.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Don’s name to Boston University School of Communications at www.bu.edu/donbatting.