Lewis "Lew" Latto

Lewis M. Latto, Jr., of Duluth, died suddenly at his home on Wednesday, August 24. He was 71.

Latto was a lifelong Duluth resident and civic supporter. He began a career in broadcasting at the age of 14 that lasted until his death. Beginning with WKLK in Cloquet, Latto was an on-air personality and newscaster for many area stations, including WEBC and WDSM. In 1958, he was named music director at WDSM when the station began to play Top 40 music. He bought his first radio station in 1964, a 1,000-watt AM station he renamed WAKX, and then launched one of the area's first FM stations in the 1970s, KPIR (later known as WAKX-FM). At one time, Latto had six Minnesota radio stations in his network. Latto served as president of the Minnesota Broadcasters Association, who inducted him into its Pavek Museum Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 2003. He also served as a director of the National Radio Broadcasters Association. At the time of his death, he continued to own and operate three radio stations on the Iron Range, WEVE-FM, KRBT-AM and KGPZ-FM.

Latto was a graduate of Denfeld High School (1958) and the University of Minnesota Duluth. In 1959 at age 19, while a student at UMD, Latto promoted and hosted the Winter Dance Party at the Duluth Armory, featuring performances by Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper. It was one of the last shows Holly played before he and others died in a plane crash. A young Bob Dylan attended the show, which he later cited as a major event in his musical development.

Latto was active in area politics as well, holding office and advising many candidates and elected officials. He was first elected to the Duluth City Council in 1969 at age 29, at that time the youngest member ever to be elected to the Council. He served multiple terms as an at-large city councilor in the 1970s, including a long stretch as council president. He managed former state senator Dick Palmer's campaign in 1970, when Palmer drew national attention after he was elected as the lone independent in an evenly-divided Minnesota legislature. Latto's politically-oriented radio talk show – for years "Open Mike" and later "Lew Latto Live" – engaged and sometimes tormented loyal callers for decades. He earned a reputation for meticulous preparation and presentation whenever he discussed a civil issue. Virtually every area elected official appeared on the show, including sitting governors, senators and representatives, who respected his political intelligence even when they differed with him.

He was preceded in death by his parents Lewis M. Latto, Sr. and Ethel Sophia (Nelson) Latto.

He is survived by his children Aaron (Beth) Latto of Cincinnati, OH and Caroline Latto of Duluth; two granddaughters Paige and Nina of Cincinnati, OH; sister Marilew (Bob) Barnidge of Duluth; nephews Tom (Mary) Barnidge of Apple Valley, David (Phyllis) of Rochester and Betsy (David) Podas of Los Angeles; and former spouse Susan Beasy Latto of Duluth.

Visitation will be held from 10 A.M. until the 11 A.M. funeral service on Monday, August 29, 2011 at First United Methodist Church (Coppertop) 230 East Skyline. A private family interment will be held in Oneota Cemetery. A full notice will appear in the Saturday and Sunday editions of the Duluth News Tribune.


Memorials in the Latto Family name to CHOICE, Unlimited.

CHOICE, Unlimited is a 20-year-old non-profit organization in Duluth that supports the employment and community needs of people with disabilities. This organization has been very important in our lives for each of those 20 years.

Contact:

CHOICE, Unlimited
Executive Director Kristie Buchman
1829 East Superior Street
Duluth MN 55812
(218) 724-5869
www.choiceunlimited.org