Lifelong broadcaster, Roger Mann, died Sept. 22 at his home in Orlando, Florida after a battle with cancer. He was 84.
According to his obituary, Mann’s broadcast journalism career began in his early teens when, after finding a way to sneak into Milwaukee County Stadium, he befriended Milwaukee Journal photojournalist Niels Lauritzen, who was covering then-Milwaukee Braves games. Mann became his personal assistant, carrying photography equipment, running assignments, and accompanying him on trips covering Packers games. They remained close friends their entire lives.
Mann was later working at WTMJ radio in Milwaukee when, while working in the mailroom, he was given the chance to do on-air station breaks. After more radio work, his television career began at WKOW-TV in Madison. This was followed by stints at stations across the country including in Virginia, Indiana, New Mexico, California, and Florida.
At many stops in his career, he was recognized for his professional achievements as a news director and anchor while steering local stations. Among his great joys was his time in Madison leading WKOW’s efforts with the Jerry Lewis Labor Day Muscular Dystrophy Telethons.
Mann began a trucking business that took him across the country, but in his 70s he returned to journalism with AC Business Media, producing and anchoring a regular digital newscast, The Construction News Tracker.
There are no immediate plans for a public memorial service.
