R.I.P.: Twin Cities Broadcaster Rodger Kent

Rodger Kent

Rodger Kent Vogel, a former Twin Cities radio broadcaster who might have been best known for calling professional wrestling matches for 25 years, has died.

Kent, 90, died Friday in Cook, Minnesota. His broadcast career started in 1948 and included a 2003 induction in the Minnesota Broadcast Hall of Fame.

Rodger Kent Vogel, as he is legally called, began long career in radio and television began at ABC in 1948, followed by a radio job at WCYB Bristol, Tennessee.

He moved to the Twin Cities in 1950 as an announcer at WDGY (now KFAN). He then spent five years at KSTP as morning show host, and also appeared on KSTP TV, hosting the first local television disc-jockey show in the midnight time slot following The Tonight Show.

He worked at WCCO for three years before joining WTCN Radio and TV (now KARE TV) as an announcer, newscaster, and meteorologist. In 1964 he created and hosted The Minnesota Sportsman, one of the first weekly outdoors shows, which aired on WTCN TV until 1969.

He also called professional wrestling matches on WTCN TV and around the country for over 25 years, and emceed grandstand shows at the Minnesota State Fair. Later he returned to Twin Cities radio at WAYL, KTWN, and KLBB.