Lee Frischknecht

Lee Conrad Frischknecht (January 4, 1928[1] – December 29, 2004)[2] was a broadcast journalist and, from 1973 to 1977, was the second president of National Public Radio.

Biography

Frischknecht was born in Brigham City, Utah to Carl and Geniel Frischknecht (née Lund),[1][3] and after graduation from Logan High School,[3] spent two years (1946-1948) in the army in Japan.[1] He graduated from Utah State University in 1951 with a degree in speech and radio.[1][2] He earned a master's degree in Radio-TV from Michigan State University in 1957.[1]

Career

After graduation, Frischknecht initially worked in Idaho and after earning a graduate degree in Michigan, later moved to New York City to work at PBS affiliate WNET.[1] He returned to his alma mater to work for a time, and moved to Washington, DC to work at National Public Radio under its first president, Don Quayle, in 1970.[1]

Frischknecht became president of NPR in 1973, and served in that capacity until 1977.[2] He returned to television at Arizona State University's KAET in 1980 and later helped found KBAQ.[3] He retired in 1993.[1]

Personal

Frischknecht was married for 54 years (until his death) to the former Sara Jean McCulloch[1][2] and had four daughters.[1] He was a lifelong member of the LDS Church.[3]

References

1. "Lee C. Frischknecht Papers". University of Maryland, College Park. Retrieved 2009-05-13.
2. Associated Press (2005-01-11). "Lee C. Frischknecht; National Public Radio President". The Washington Post. p. B06. Retrieved 2009-05-13.
3. "Obituary: Lee Conrad Frischknecht". Deseret News. 2005-01-03. Retrieved 2009-05-13.

Business positions
Preceded by Don Quayle	President and CEO of National Public Radio 1973–1977	Succeeded by Frank Mankiewicz