NPR Newscaster Carl Kasell Dies At 84
He was the first person heard through the airwaves of NPR’s program Morning Edition in 1979, later he took score for the silly news quiz show Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me! Over a span of more than 30 years, he was one of the network’s most recognized voices.
The former NPR newscaster died at age 84 on Tuesday in Potomac, Maryland. The Washington Post is reporting, the cause was complications from Alzheimer’s disease.
Carl Kasell first joined NPR as a part-time employee after graduating from the University of North Carolina and serving in the military. He was also one of the very first students who helped launch the WUNC station at the university. Kasell switched his focus from spinning records as a DJ to public radio after his friend encouraged him to pursue a job opportunity at an all-news station, according to NPR. Described by current Wait Wait host Peter Sagal as the voice of NPR, Kaswell will be remembered from way outside the newsroom as the born broadcaster America woke up to for decades.
Wait Wait’s social media account took to Twitter to remember their old friend.
We just got the heartbreaking news that our dear friend and Score Keeper Emeritus Carl Kasell has passed away. Carl was warm, funny, caring, and put up with our nonsense with a knowing smile and a wink. In a word, he was a gentleman.
Love you, Carl.https://t.co/robjJI3oGR
— waitwait (@waitwait) April 17, 2018
