Jack Lynch

Hired as an announcer just days before the station opened, Jack Lynch found a home at KWLM Willmar. He stayed there for five decades, and made many contributions to broadcasting and to the community as well. He was the first announcer hired by KWLM when the station went on the air in 1940. He left to serve in the US Air Force in 1942, but returned to KWLM in 1946, and served as general manager for the next 40 years. Even after his retirement in 1986, he still did sales work and on-air interviews for the station. He served as mayor of Willmar and helped found its United Fund and Habitat for Humanity organizations. He served as president of the Minnesota Higher Education Coordinating Board, and was active in many other community organizations. His many honors included the Sertoma Club Service to Mankind Award and the Jaycees Distinguished Citizen Award. His outstanding career and accomplishments, not only in broadcasting but also in community service and involvement, set high standards for his fellow broadcasters.

Jack Lynch passed away, at the age of 77, on March 4, 1999.