No: 80
Date: 1/1/2000
Name: Gary Kerr
It's not easy to insult the "Walter Cronkite of Omaha" as some people called the respected local newscaster. But roasters took on the task when longtime Omaha newsman Gary Kerr was honored as a Face. Roasters managed to find good-natured barbs although colleague Dave Hamer noted Kerr was a hard target to lampoon: "What can you say about a guy who gets out of bed at 3 in the morning to water the Dundee flower pots?" The caricature shows scenes displaying highlights of the 35-year broadcasting career of the South Dakota farm boy who began his career in Omaha as a WOW Radio and TV farm reporter. He also briefly worked at KSCJ Radio and KTTV in Sioux City as a newsman. He became chief newscaster for WOW-TV, later called WOWT, in 1971. Kerr marked his retirement from the station when he appeared on stage at the 1999 Omaha Press Club Show to name his "Top 10 Things I Plan To Do In Retirement." It was not his first Show appearance. He also appeared in the OPC Show in a gorilla suit, shown in the caricature. "Mr. Professional" and "Mr. Integrity" wrote Henry Cordes in the OPC newsletter: "Facts about Kerr: In his first radio job out of college, he hosted a music show. He's light on his feet and a great dancer. He's a killer racquetball player." Back to Top