14 Facts About Roger Awsumb

Roger Awsumb is most known for his lead role in the children's television show he created, Lunch With Casey, that aired on the Twin Cities area channel 11 from 1954 until 1973.

Roger Leonard Awsumb was born on July 10,1928, in Saint Paul, Minnesota to Ardin I Awsumb of Saint Paul, Minnesota, and Petra C Awsumb of Trondheim, Norway.

Roger Awsumb was of Norwegian descent from both parents and the youngest of four children.

Roger Awsumb graduated from Saint Paul's Central High School in 1946.

Roger Awsumb returned to the Twin Cities in 1952 and transitioned from radio to television.

Roger Awsumb's noon-hour show featured jokes, skits, songs, and cartoons, with non-actor children joining Awsumb and other characters live on set for the fun.

Roger Awsumb is most remembered for playing the ukulele and singing "The Happy Birthday Song" during each show.

Roger Awsumb cited the backlash against children's television personalities endorsing products aimed at children for the wider cancellation in the early 1970s of local children's TV shows.

Roger Awsumb pursued other business ventures, including a pizza restaurant, automobile sales, and a bicycle and ski shop.

Roger Awsumb returned to radio broadcasting in the 1980s on KLKS in the Brainerd Lakes area before retiring for good in the early 1990s.

Roger Awsumb's Casey Jones character is a beloved fixture for a generation of television viewers and he remains a television icon.

Roger Awsumb was inducted into the Minnesota Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 2001.

The steam locomotive Roger Awsumb rode in the Lunch with Casey show opening is located at the Minnesota Transportation Museum in Saint Paul.

Roger Awsumb is buried at the Acacia Park Cemetery in Mendota Heights, Minnesota.