Whether he was reading the news, relaying sports play-by-play, spinning stories on a talk show or extolling the values of radio to prospective advertisers, Roger Hartsook did it all over 50-plus years at KVOE and did it extremely well.
Hartsook’s distinctive voice was silenced Sunday when he passed away at age 76, and those who worked alongside him remember him as a devoted worker and community servant with a sense of humor and a knack for storytelling.
USD 253 Assistant Superintendent of Business Operations Rob Scheib says Hartsook “had a story for everything” and you couldn’t help but be drawn in.
Rec Commission Director Tom McEvoy:
City Manager Mark McAnarney agrees.
Former Emporia City Commissioner Bobbi Mylnar knew Hartsook both as a classmate and colleague. She says she always admired his resilience.
Hartsook started 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. Beyond his station involvement, there was also Hartsook’s community involvement, in part through times on the Emporia Board of Education and Emporia Recreation Commission as well as time with the Emporia Municipal Band, both as a player and emcee, and the Salvation Army advisory board. He also helped to organize the K Club at Emporia State University.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
7:30 pm Sunday: Longtime KVOE broadcaster Roger Hartsook passes away
Longtime KVOE voice Roger Hartsook passed away Sunday afternoon at the age of 76.
Hartsook began his broadcasting career in the mid 1960’s and held a number of different roles over the course of his better than 50-year career in including news reporter, news director, sportscaster, talk-show host and account executive. On top of his time with KVOE, Hartsook also served 16-years on the USD 253 Board of Education and as the school board’s representative on the Emporia Recreation Commission for a time.
KVOE station owner Steve Sauder says Hartsook was “an icon” in the Emporia Community.
Hartsook was battling COVID-19 at the time of his passing, however, it is unclear at this time if it had any role in his death.
The interview room at the KVOE studios was named in Hartsook’s honor following his retirement back in 2016.
KVOE will have further updates as they become available, including comments from former co-workers and colleagues. Funeral arrangements are pending.
