Harry G. Dekker

Harry G. Dekker June 2, 1922 March 20, 2004 _ Harry Dekker was born in North Battleford on June 2, 1922 to Dutch immigrants George and Dora Dekkers. His early years were spent in the nearby community of Brada where his father was section foreman for the Canadian National Railway. His interest in radio was stirred at an early age. He was just 14 years old when he wrote to Don Wilson, the announcer on the popular Jack Benny Radio Show, requesting advice on starting a career in broadcasting. Wilson wrote back, although Harry was too young to take advantage of his advice. In fact, Harry was in Grade 11 when he met with CFQC station manager Vern Dallin who told him to finish high school first. One year later, in July 1940, Harry was hired as an announcer at CFQC hosting the "Waxworks " program. After joining the Royal Canadian Air Force and serving from 1942 to 1945, he returned to CFQC as an announcer and program director. It was there he met and married broadcast colleague Christine Wiebe in 1951. The pair formed and co-hosted "The Double Dekker Breakfast Club ", the first husband and wife radio show in Western Canada and one of the most popular programs in the province. In January 1954, the Dekkers and their morning show moved to CJNB radio in North Battleford when Harry accepted an offer to become station manager. The people of the Battlefords and area quickly warmed to Harry's humour and informative, friendly table-side manner. Over the years, the small radio station prospered and grew. In 1959, Harry initiated and supervised the construction of a new studio and office building for CJNB. In 1963, the radio station was purchased by the Rawlinson family and a strong business and personal relationship was forged with E.A. Rawlinson, the late broadcast pioneer and father of Gordon Rawlinson, CEO of Rawlco Radio Ltd. In 1977, a second radio station was built to serve Meadow Lake. Soon, a whole new audience of radio listeners in the Meadow Lake area came to know and love Harry through CJNS. In 1989, the Dekker family became owners of the two stations with the Rawlinson family. In 2001, Harry was proud to be a part of expansion plans that included construction of the new, state-of-the-art broadcast facilities in North Battleford and the establishment of yet another succesful radio station, Q98 FM. Over the years, Harry touched the careers of many well known Canadian broadcasters including Wally Macht, Terry Spence, George Garrett, Don Whitman, Ron Smith, John Gormley, Dale Isaac, and Murray Wood. Harry Dekker was an active promoter of the radio industry and his community. He was a member of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters' "Half Century Club ". He was past director of the Western Association of Broadcasters, the Saskatchewan Association of Broadcasters, Radio Bureau of Canada, Saskatchewan Country Music Association Hall of Fame, and Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers. He was past president of the North Battleford Branch of the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation, St. John Ambulance, and Battlefords Cross Country Ski Club. He was a member of the Battlefords Shrine Club, Branch #70 Royal Canadian Legion, and Battlefords Wildlife Federation. In 1965, Harry was made Honourary Chief of the Cree First Nation and was given the name "Chief Good Morning Voice ". He was an honourary lifetime Big Brother, honourary lifetime member of the Kinsmen and Rotary Clubs, and honourary chairman of the Battlefords United Way. Harry was the recipient of countless awards and citations from numerous organizations including the Canadian Red Cross, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Battlefords Agricultural Society, North Battleford City Kinsmen Band and Scouts Canada. One such presentation noted: "Every community organization, service club and activity has benefited, in one form or another, from Harry Dekker's attention and publicity through CJNB radio. This service has been provided throughout his many years in the Battlefords, and often with a personal sacrifice of considerable time and effort. " In October 2001, Harry Dekker was inducted into the Canadian Association of Broadcasters "Broadcast Hall of Fame " the broadcast industry's highest honour. The Hall of Fame recognizes "Canada's broadcast pioneers, innovators and entrepreneurs whose ingenuity and dedication helped develop the Canadian private broadcasting system. " Above all his successes in business and radio, Harry was most proud of his family. He cherished his wife, his best friend, and his radio partner, Christine. He treasured his four sons David, Harry, Dana, and Christopher who have wonderful memories of growing up together, particularly of time spent at the family cabin at Murray Lake. He was honoured to have four daughtersin-law that he considered his own Barbara, Donna, Dawn, and Deenna. And he adored his eight grandchildren who brought him a wealth of pride, joy, and laughter. Harry loved the great outdoors. Many may be unaware that he was a mountain climber and avid hiker. He was a consumate gardener and loved to watch and feed birds. He enjoyed hockey and boxing and listening to the Riders on the radio. Harry and wife Chris also loved to travel and, together, visited dozens of exotic countries around the world. Throughout his "retirement ", Harry remained active in broadcasting hosting a morning show each Saturday until December of 2003. His distinguished career spanned an incredible 63 years true testament to his great love of radio, the wonderful people who make it happen, and the community which has been home for four generations of Dekkers over the past 87 years. Harry was predeceased by his father George and mother Dora. He will be deeply missed by his loving family; wife Christine, sister Dora Pegg, sons David (Barbara), Harry (Donna), Dana (Dawn), Christopher (Deenna), and grandchildren Stephanie and Kimberley, Donnica and Harrison, Ryan and Rachel, and Nathan and Addison. A celebration of his life will be held on Thursday, March 25th, 2:00 p.m. at the John Paul II Collegiate Auditorium, 1491-97th Street, North Battleford. The family have requested that donations be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation in lieu of flowers.