Arnie Strope

Sep 27, 1922 - Nov 14, 2009

A 47-year veteran broadcaster, Arnie Strope spent his entire radio career at WFHR-AM, Wisconsin Rapids, beginning as unpaid trainee in May 1941. He served as a board engineer, operator, announcer, program director, community relations director, operations manager and assistant general manager.

He was most widely known in his community for his 27-year stint as host of the daily call-in show, “Kaffee Klastsch” and was honored by numerous community groups during his career.

Throughout the Wisconsin state broadcast community Strope was known as the “best football producer ever” as he was dubbed by Wisconsin Badger football announcer Earl Gillespie who worked with him for over half of the 47 years Strope served as Producer/Engineer for the Wisconsin Network’s Badger Football broadcasts.

Arnie was honored by Wisconsin's Broadcasters by induction into the Wisconsin Broadcaster Hall of Fame in 1992

Obituary from Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune, Nov, 16, 2009

November 16, 2009

Arnold W. Strope, 87, of 711 11th St. S., Wisconsin Rapids, passed away Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Philip's Catholic Church, Rudolph. The Revs. Timothy Welles and Chester Osowski will officiate. Entombment will take place in Forest Hill Mausoleum. Friends may call at Ritchay Funeral Home in Wisconsin Rapids from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at the Church from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Arnie was born Sept. 27, 1922, in Pittsville. He married Georgia Berard on Sept. 15, 1945, at Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Wisconsin Rapids, and together they had seven children. Georgia preceded him in death May 10, 1999. Arnie began his broadcasting career at WFHR Radio in May of 1941 and retired in 1987. He was most widely known in the community for his stint as host of the daily call in show, "Kaffee Klatsch" for 47 years. He served as producer/engineer for the Wisconsin Badger Football broadcasts, never missing a game, in or out of state. One of his proudest moments was when he was inducted into the Wisconsin Broadcaster's Hall of Fame in 1992. Arnie was a member of the Kiwanis Club and Knights of Columbus. He was recognized by the Wisconsin Rapids Chamber of Commerce as Citizen of the Year in 1985. Arnie is survived by his children, Jonathan (Lori) Strope of Tupelo, Miss., Christopher (Kathy) Strope of Wisconsin Rapids, Eric Strope of Wisconsin Rapids, Jennifer (Ronald) Crabb of Wisconsin Rapids, Mary (Gary) Krueger of Mosinee, Noel (Donald) Kolo of Rudolph, and Connie (Robert) Rosenkranz of Richland Center. Also survived by grandchildren, Ashley Crawford, Chad Strope, Andrew Strope, Kerrie (Guy) Treutel, Holly Cassiani, Sara Strope, Samuel Strope, Alisa Strope, Brady Bornhauser, Katey Bornhauser, Mariah Krueger, Carly Krueger, Adam (Marie) Kolo, Lukas (Sara) Kolo, Kade Kolo, Kristin (Corey) Scheunemann, Kelsey (Justin) Heuer, Meghan Rosenkranz, and Brock Rosenkranz and great grandchildren, Georgia Kate, Dawson, Evie, Damien, Tanner, Teagen, Benjamin Maleia, and Auden. In lieu of flowers a memorial will be established at a later date. " Dad will always be remembered for his ready handshake, his quick smile and his ability to make people laugh."