User:Chuckhoffmann/sandbox/Thomas Eaton

Nathan Thomas "Tom" Eaton Jr, (March 5, 1916 – October 16, 2002) was an American news director and broadcaster who was a prominent figure in Hartford news broadcasting for four decades. Eaton was instrumental in establishing the Radio and Television News Directors Association and served as news director for both radio and television stations in Hartford.

Early life and education
Eaton was born in Marlboro, Massachusetts. He graduated from Becker College in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Career
After college, Eaton worked for Transradio Press Service. Eaton was recruited to be news director for WTIC Radio in 1941. During World War II, he oversaw the station's coverage of the conflict. In 1955, he helped expand the station's operations to include a television station on the sixth floor of the Travelers Tower. Eaton became the television station's first news director, a role he held for nearly 20 years. Eaton was made vice president in charge of news in 1961.

In 1973, when Travelers sold WTIC's television station to Post-Newsweek Stations, Eaton stayed on with the station's new incarnation as WFSB.

Retiring in 1985, Eaton continued to work as a consultant, helping to set up stations WVFT in Virginia and WJTC in Florida.

Personal life
In 1939, Eaton married Roberta Chase in West Harwich, Massachusetts. He fathered three children: sons Robert T. and Howard C., and daughter Janet. Eaton was survived by his second wife, Jenna.

Legacy
Eaton was a prominent figure in Hartford news broadcasting for four decades, and his work helped shape the industry in Connecticut and beyond. His contributions to the field were recognized with a number of awards, including induction into the Connecticut Journalism Hall of Fame.