Carl Kasell, long-time voice of NPR newscasts and scorekeeper emeritus for Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me! passed away Tuesday, April 17 from complications from Alzheimer’s disease.
Kasell was a friend to member stations across the country, including KUNC. During a visit to the station in fall of 2009 he lent his voice to our air. We’ve put a few of those spots together as our way of remembering one of the quintessential voices of public radio.
Kasell delivered the news during NPR’s morning newscasts for more than three decades, including through the Sept. 11 attacks. He took up the mantle as official judge and scorekeeper for Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me! where he recorded more than 2,000 outgoing messages for answering machines as “prizes” for quiz winners. He also loved magic tricks.
Kasell was 84.