WIP 610-AM operations manager Neal Newman died of a heart attack Thursday night while taking a karate class with his wife.  He was 49-years-old.

Newman began at WIP four years ago, serving as the assistant program director under Tom Bigby.  When Bigby left the station this summer, Newman acted as interim program director, and recently was promoted to operations manager.

Radio listeners also would recognize Newman from his days as a disc jockey on the old Jammin’ Gold 95.7-FM, and he continued to fill in on the air on WIP sister station WOGL 98.1-FM.

WIP host Glen Macnow said, “Neal was a genuinely nice guy that everyone liked and respected.  He recently lost over 50-pounds and was trying to get into shape. It’s ironic that Neal died, when he was trying to take care of himself.”

Newman is survived by his wife and two sons - 8 and 4-years-old. Funeral arrangements are pending.