The Voice of Agriculture in Western and Central Wisconsin, he built a career of over 30 years in radio broadcasting on a single focus: serving the rural, agricultural community with energy and dedication. He began his career as a student intern and part-time host on Wisconsin Public Radio in 1974. He joined WAXX/WAYY in Eau Claire in 1976 as a farm reporter and became Farm Director for those stations in 1984. He regularly traveled to all 30 counties in the WAXX/WAYY listening area to listen, learn and broadcast live to the agricultural community. He has been honored with distinguished service and special recognition awards by numerous organizations including the UW-Madison and UW-River Falls Colleges of Agriculture, the Wisconsin Natural Resources Conservation Service, Wisconsin Soil & Water Conservation Society, and the federal Farm Services Agency. He received Honorary degrees from both the State of Wisconsin and National Future Farmers of America and the National Association of Farm Broadcasters named him their Most Outstanding Farm Broadcaster in America in 2002.
Great guy does a lot for farmers, all people
An amazing genuine individual with an amazing and always recognizable voice.
Wonderful man all around! “Milked” with him for many yrs. He made our trip to Alaska a wonderful memory.
Bob, You farmed with me for years. I was always awake at the “Shank of the Day” and so were you! I have had the pleasure of having Bob promote our events over the years and he always treated everyone as a friend. He always exhibited the love he has for Agriculture and his job. Very well deserved recognition. Thank you for being a positive voice for Agriculture.
Congratulations Bob and sincerest thanks for being a key voice for agriculture!!! My very best to you for all your efforts to educate the public about the importance of agriculture production, agriculture business and the future of agriculture.
Congrats Bob. Well earned and well deserved. I remember working with Jerry Urdahl and then you when I came to the Chippewa Valley in 1979 to manage the local FLBA office (ag. lending). It was easily apparent that you would have an excellent career. Also, nice to hear you and my nephew, Brent, on Friday mornings! Best Wishes to you and your family Bob.
I have listened to Bob for many years connecting his voice to the farm reports. I was at the Kalahari in WI Dells last year and heard his voice….I had never met Bob but knew instantly by the familiar voice it WAS Bob. So I introduced myself ….he is a very cordial man and it was a delight to meet Bob.
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The Wisconsin Broadcasters Hall of Fame was created in 1989 to honor those broadcasters who have devoted their careers to broadcasting and its development in Wisconsin, to recognize their outstanding service to broadcasting, their communities, and their state, over at least a fifteen-year career in the industry, at least ten of which were served in Wisconsin.The first twelve members of the Hall of Fame were inducted during the 1989 WBA Summer Conference. Inductees are chosen each year from among nominations by WBA members. Broadcasters who have been inducted into the Hall of Fame include managers, personalities, engineers, reporters and those broadcasting pioneers who were at once all of the above.
In October, 1989, Alfred C. Sykes, then Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, came to Wisconsin to formally dedicate a Hall of Fame display, including plaques honoring the inductees, at the State Historical Society of Wisconsin Library in Madison. In 2010, due to remodeling of the SHSW facility, the display was removed. The Hall of Fame exhibit was relocated to the Hilton Milwaukee City Center in 2015 and enhanced with a touchscreen display featuring all inductee commemorative videos.
$5,000 Level
Gray Television Midwest Communications Mid-West Family Broadcasting Dick Record Wisconsin Stations of Quincy Media
$3,500 Level
Hearst WITI-TV, Milwaukee
$2,500 Level
Morgan Murphy Media
$2,000 Level
Armada Media CBS58 Milwaukee Koser Radio Group Scripps/WTMJ-TV Terry and Sandy Shockley WTMJ & ESPN Milwaukee/Good Karma Brands
$1,000 Level
Bliss Communications Magnum Communications Woodward Communications
$500 Level
Bill Hurwitz
