CLASS OF 1993
Walt Kavanaugh’s career as a newsman contributed to the legendary success of two stations in the country, KOWH and KFAB, both in Omaha.
Walt Kavanaugh was a “South Omaha Boy,” graduating from South High in 1940. After military service as a paratrooper during the war, Walt graduated from Creighton University and entered radio joining the staff at KFJB in Marshalltown, Iowa in 1947. He returned to Omaha in 1950 joining Todd Storz at his soon-to-be top-rated station KOWH.
He moved on to KFAB in 1952 beginning his career as a member of the morning show. Kavanaugh awoke at 3:30 a.m. every weekday for four decades to inform people of the latest news. Kavanaugh’s winter school closings were the absolute authority and a huge draw for the youngster demographics, probably the only time they dialed 1110 during their youth.
Walt’s chemistry with the various hosts, regularly interacting, talking about events, or telling corny jokes. helped lead the morning show to astronomical ratings. In 1979 he, Don Cole, and Kent Pavelka earned 38 percent of the audience with the second place station getting only 16 percent.
Mr. Kavanaugh retired on January 31, 1992. He passed away in April 1998.
