CARL KASELL

Carl R. Kasell  
Passed away on April 17, 2018 at Rebecca House in Potomac at the age of 84 after a long battle with Alzheimer's. Carl was born in Goldsboro, NC. and was a Tar Heel through and through who attended the University of North Carolina and would never miss March Madness. He was the oldest son of Eddie and Lela Kasell. His main ambition beginning when he was a very young boy was to be on the radio. At UNC he helped start a radio station with Charles Kuralt at the University. In 1956 he left to fulfill his Army service. He helped define Npr when he joined the public radio network in 1975 and four years later helped inaugurate "Morning Edition" and worked as the news anchor at the top of the hour for the next 30 years. In 1998 he became the straight man to Peter Sagal's irreverent host on "Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me" and added a new dimension to his persona from his serious news anchor role to a silly and funny guy. His first wife was Clara de Zorzi, died in 1997 after 37 years of marriage. In 2003, he married Mary Ann Foster. Besides his wife, survivors include a son from his first marriage, Joe Kasell; a stepson, Brian Foster; a sister and four beloved grandchildren, Kathleen, Kati Ann, Roland and Lydia. A memorial celebration will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Jssa Hospice in Rockville, Md. or your local Npr station.