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Ag Broadcasting Legend Trobak Passes

John Davis

trobak1A guy who was the golden voice filling the airways with information in Western Iowa has died unexpectedly. Neil Trobak, a 57-year broadcast veteran and member of the National Association of Farm Broadcasters (NAFB), of Carroll, Iowa, was 82. His obituary and remembrance from Sharp Funeral Home is here.

Neil Ivan was born on July 6, 1932 at Crooks, South Dakota the son of Nels and Lillian (Larsen) Trobak. He attended school in Crooks and later graduated from Augustana College in 1954. Neil served in the United States Marines from 1954 to 1956 and after his honorable discharge attended and graduated from Brown Institute, a radio-training school in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

In May of 1957 he moved to the Carroll community where he began his career with Carroll Broadcasting. While employed at the radio station he served in many capacities. “The Voice” of Carroll Radio, Neil did sportscasting, newscasting, and was general manager for 13 years. In his later years with the station, Neil was known as “the F&F guy” announcing farm and funeral information in the mornings and afternoons.

On June 23, 1990 Neil was married to Joan Presnell Happe at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Carroll.

Neil will also be remembered for his public service to the Carroll community being active as a County Supervisor and also served on the Carroll Area Child Care Center Board, Carroll Area Development Board, Region 12 Council of Government Board, Emergency Management/911 Board as well as various other boards.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, December 12, 2014, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Carroll.

As a guy who grew up listening to Neil, I can tell you that his was the voice we all listened to. Heaven’s getting one heck of a voice.

NAFB