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Lee Conrad Frischknecht (January 4, 1928 – December 29, 2004) was a broadcast journalist and, from 1973 to 1977, was the second president of National Public Radio.[1][2]
Lee Frischknecht | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 4, 1928 |
| Died | December 29, 2004 (aged 76) |
| Citizenship | American |
| Education | Utah State University, Michigan State University |
| Occupation | President of National Public Radio |
| Years active | 1973–1977 |
| Spouse |
Sara Jean McCulloch
(m. 1950–2004) |
| Children | 4 daughters |
Frischknecht was born in Brigham City, Utah to Carl and Geniel Frischknecht (née Lund), and after graduation from Logan High School, spent two years (1946-1948) in the army in Japan.[3][1] He graduated from Utah State University (USU) 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]
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] As president he saw a shift from predominantly news coverage to more human interest reporting.[4]
Frischknecht returned to USU to work for a time and then moved to Washington, DC to work at National Public Radio under its first president, Don Quayle.[1] He joined the fledgling public radio enterprise as director of network affairs and later as vice president.[5] 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]
Frischknecht was married for 54 years (until his death) to the former Sara Jean McCulloch and had four daughters.[1] He was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.[3]
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