Under his management, WABC became the model for tight-playlist, teenager-targeted Top 40 programming, with a strong signal and famed disc jockeys such as "Cousin Brucie" Bruce Morrow, Dan Ingram, Harry Harrison, Chuck Leonard, and Ron Lundy.
In March 1977, Sklar was promoted to vice president of programming for ABC’s radio division.
[2] Sklar continued to write articles and books as well as visiting various colleges discussing the business of radio in general.
[3] Rick was married to the former Sydelle Helfgott, who also served as vice president for his company, Sklar Communications.
Although in good health, he died on the operating table due to a lack of oxygen and other mistakes made by the hospital staff.
[6] Rick Sklar was posthumously inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame the following year.