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.
August 12, 1991 - Cathy Meredig, creator of Happy To Be Me dolls, talks about her new children’s toy. Meredid says the purpose behind doll is to present a more realistic body types to young girls and counter the unrealistic “Barbie” doll body shape that children have come to see as normal.
August 15, 1991 - All Things Considered’s Gary Eichten talks with Arthur Caplan, University of Minnesota professor in the Departments of Philosophy and Surgery, about the ethics of suicide as it is seen in western culture.
August 24, 1991 - On this special State Fair Midday program, MPR’s Gary Eichten talks with Karal Ann Marling and Jeff Johnson about Minnesota State Fair history and attractions. The two also answer fair audience and listener questions.
August 29, 1991 - A U.S. Forest Service official details the strategy of managing fires in Voyageurs National Park. The plan calls for addressing all human-made fires. Natural fires (ex. - lightning-started fires) are left to burn depending on the parameters.
August 31, 1991 - From MPR Minnesota State Fair booth, guest host Gary Eichten talks about the pennant race with Twins General Manager Andy McPhail. This is followed with commentary from Howard Sinker, Star Tribune reporter and editor, who answers listener questions about baseball
September 4, 1991 - Dr. Susan Erbaugh comments on her concerns over how modern media presents murder in the news and the negative stress it imparts on children. Erbaugh believes that media needs to be aware of news stories presentation and that parents should have a dialog with their children over the exposure.
September 9, 1991 - MPR’s Gary Eichten speaks with a central Minnesotan farmer who recounts his experience of 9-inch rainfall and being humbled by the wrath of nature.
September 12, 1991 - All Things Considered’s Gary Eichten interviews Geraldine Ferraro, who in 1984 became the first female vice-presidential nominee representing a major American political party. Ferraro reflects on being a part of Walter Mondale’s 1984 presidential campaign and discusses the need for more women in prominent positions within government and business.
September 19, 1991 - All Things Considered’s Gary Eichten talks with Minnesota peace activist Marv Davidov about his birthday and starting Midwest Institute for Social Transformation (MIST), an alternative education project.
September 20, 1991 - MPR’s Gary Eichten interviews Nora Hengebol, reigning potato peeling champion at Barnsville’s Potato Days Festival. Hengebol details her spud technique.