Prayers, songs and cherished memories were all shared Sunday in honor of long-time KVOE announcer and beloved Emporian Roger Hartsook.
A special memorial service was held for Hartsook at the Lyon County Fairgrounds Anderson Building Sunday afternoon. During the service friends and family were invited to share their fondest memories of Hartsook.
One of those individuals was former First Congregational Church of Emporia Pastor Andrew McHenry who was unable to attend the service in person. Current First Congregational Church Pastor Howard Cassidy-Moffat read aloud a story from McHenry illustrating Hartsook’s well-known sense of humor.
Hartsook’s brother Robert recalled Roger’s over 40 plus years in broadcasting as an announcer, news reporter and on-air personality with KVOE. Robert stated his brother was a constant part of “our everyday life.”
Hartsook began his career in broadcasting with KVOE in the mid-1960s as a part-time staffer, joining the full-time staff in 1968. Aside from a three-year period between 1985 and 1988, Hartsook worked with the station until retiring in 2016. Hartsook was also heavily involved in the Emporia community serving on numerous boards, committees and organizations within the community during his lifetime.
Hartsook sadly passed away on Oct. 25 at the age of 76. He was laid to rest at Eureka Cemetery in Eureka.
Because of restrictions in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic attendance was limited for Sunday’s memorial service, however, KVOE would like to invite any and all residents who have a memory of Hartsook they would like to share to do so on KVOE’s social media pages on Facebook and Twitter.
