For many who have listened to the airwaves over the previous decades, Gary Eichten’s voice is synonymous to Minnesota Public Radio. The retired MPR News editor-at-large Eichten has worn many hats during his 40-plus-year career at MPR, including news director, special events producer, and station manager. He routinely served as host for Minnesota Public Radio's live-special events news coverage, and has hosted all of the major news programs on Minnesota Public Radio, including Midday (which he hosted for more than 20 years!).
It all began on April Fool’s Day in 1967, when Eichten started his career at Minnesota Public Radio as a student announcer at Collegeville’s KSJR, MPR’s first station. He became the station’s one-man news department and quickly found that turning up his headphones forced him to speak more intimately, which gave him that radio voice.
In the fall of 1992, Eichten moved from hosting the regional late-afternoon edition of All Things Considered to hosting Midday. In his new role, Eichten personified the art of hosting, a tradition begun by the program’s previous host, Bob Potter. It also solidified Gary’s distinct tone and insightful questions that listeners came to hear as being MPR.
As Midday host, Eichten let his guests answer those questions and sought to understand their responses. With daily early morning research, his respectful but direct on-air style, and assistance from his long-time producer Sara Meyer, Eichten found himself making memorable radio…from a poignant sign-off of the original regional “All Things Considered,” a live on-air moment with a contentious Governor Ventura, to even a pledge drive.
Among the honors Eichten received during his MPR career is the Corporation for Public Broadcasting Award for Best Local News Program and the prestigious 2011 Graven Award by the Premack Public Affairs Journalism Awards Board for his contribution to excellence in the journalism profession. He also assisted in the development of two Peabody award-winning documentaries. In 2007, Eichten was inducted into the Pavek Museum of Broadcasting's Hall of Fame.
Simply put, Mr. Eichten is a Minnesota treasure, on and off the air.
This large curation is indicative of the breadth of that work.
September 27, 1989 - MPR Journal’s Gary Eichten talks with Betty Ann GreenCrow about controversy over use of Indian logo at Humboldt High School in St. Paul. GreenCrow states she is not opposed to Native American symbol when done in a respectful and communicative fashion. She also comments that other important issues should have a focus, such as Native American representation in the school staff and curriculum.
October 17, 1989 - Rich Baker, member of the Department of Natural Resources, talks about the loon count numbers in the state. Of the lakes looked at in DNR study, Burnside Lake had the largest loon population.
November 2, 1989 - Bill Frenzel, U.S. representative for the Minnesota’s 3rd District, explains what he sees as cowardice in Washington, D.C. when it comes to addressing deficit.
November 3, 1989 - Wayne Simoneau, Minnesota House representative for District 51B, blasts University of Minnesota's golden parachutes.
November 7, 1989 - MPR’s Gary Eichten interviews George Latimer, out-going mayor of St. Paul. Latimer talks about the mixed emotions of leaving political seat he has held for over a decade, but says he looks forward to his new role as dean of Hamline University's law school.
November 9, 1989 - MPR Journal’s Gary Eichten talks with Nils Hasselmo, University of Minnesota president, about sports money scandal on the campus and future athletics at the university. Hasselmo also comments on concerns over exploitation of Black athletes.
December 13, 1989 - On the 10 year anniversary, Ramsey County attorney Tom Foley reflects on the Al Quie kidnap attempt in 1979.
January 8, 1990 - Jules Perlt, former public address announcer at the University of Minnesota, reflects on Canadian-American football and wrestler Bronko Nagurski, both as a player and man. Perlt thinks Nagurski was the best player he ever saw on the field.
January 30, 1990 - Lou Nanne, former North Stars hockey defenseman and general manager, details the chances that the NHL team would leave Minnesota. Nanne says without ticket sales and better facility conditions, the owners and team have no choice.
April 26, 1990 - MPR’s Gary Eichten interviews Duluth resident and fisherman Russ Francisco about the declined interest of smelting along the North Shore rivers. Francisco explains what he sees and some of the reasons behind drop off.