Rudolph “Rudy” Topinka, was a radio and television announcer, talk radio host,
and newspaper columnist best known for his association with WSAU and WSAU-TV, in Wausau,
Wisconsin. The collection contains audio recordings of radio broadcasts, writings,
clippings, correspondence, photographs, and a few video recordings.
The papers include examples of his writings and scripts, clippings about his career and
WSAU-TV, fragmentary correspondence primarily concerning his return to Wausau in 1953 and
the itinerant life of radio talent with whom he was acquainted, and some listener mail. A
book in the collection, Walkin' and Talkin' Revisited, is a
collection of the folk wisdom that characterized his newspaper column in the Wausau Daily Herald.
Photographs include snapshots of Topinka (some in his costume as “Rudy the
Wrangler,” the host for WSAU-TV's cowboy show) and photographs of station facilities
and station staff (some include Walter John Chilsen). Several additional photographs
document a baking contest being filmed by WSAU-TV.
The cassettes and tape recordings include examples of Topinka's own broadcasting such as
55 Feedback, a local talk radio program, and Poet's Book. Others are early radio broadcasts, news, and national
and local musical performances that he probably re-recorded from transcription discs for
anniversary programs and other purposes. Of special note are several recorded 1940
interviews with players for the Green Bay Packers recorded at WTAQ. They discuss their
backgrounds, the differences between college and professional football, and other football
topics.
Videotapes are of broadcasts by Topinka, an interview with him about his book, UW-Extension
programs with his wife Beverly, and a history of WSAU.
