Frank P. Befera

A born engineer who built not only radios but even an airplane as a boy, Frank P. Befera is a pioneer in Minnesota broadcasting. After working as an engineer at Zenith Radio and teaching physics and mathematics, he joined the military in World War II, serving as an officer in Merrill’s Marauders and earning a Silver Star. He entered broadcasting as an engineer at WMFG Hibbing in 1946, and bought the station two years later. In 1949 he acquired WHLB Virginia, and later built WMFG FM Hibbing, WUSZ FM Virginia and KUSZ FM Duluth. He did not confine his interests to radio, however. In 1965 he built WDIO TV Duluth and Range Cable Television in Hibbing, adding WIRT TV Hibbing in 1967. He was a past president of the Minnesota Broadcasters Association and an important figure in civic affairs. He worked hard to expand the Duluth and Hibbing airports, served on the Duluth Airport Authority, and was president of the Metropolitan Airports Commission. An avid curler, he served as president of the Curling Media Association and was inducted into the U.S. Curling Hall of Fame.

Frank Befera passed away, at the age of 82, on November 19, 2004.