NPR 'founding mother' Susan Stamberg has died

"Few figures have informed the sensibility of NPR more than Stamberg. Colleagues considered her a mentor, a yenta, a founding mother always tough, and always true to herself. Stamberg is survived by her son, the actor Josh Stamberg, and her granddaughters Vivian and Lena. NPR host Scott Simon contended she was the first real human being to host a regular evening newscast. Stamberg even knit while sitting in front of the microphone at All Things Considered."

"Stamberg's stories and segments over the decades spanned the human experience, from examining matters of state to illuminating pointillist details of artistic achievement. She would be recognized by her peers with honors from the National Radio Hall of Fame, the Hollywood Walk of Fame and more. She retired in September. Such a reception was not guaranteed when NPR hired Stamberg before its broadcast debut more than five decades ago. She originally was assigned to cut audio tape it was literally tape back then."

""Susan and I disagreed about politics," Wertheimer recalled. "That is to say: I thought it was fantastically interesting. All I wanted to do was cover politics. She thought it was the most boring thing imaginable. She couldn't think why anyone would want to do that.""

Susan Stamberg served as an original NPR staffer and became the first U.S. woman to anchor a nightly national news program. Colleagues described her as a mentor, a yenta, and a founding mother who was always tough and true to herself. Stamberg's reporting ranged from matters of state to detailed artistic profiles. She received honors including induction into the National Radio Hall of Fame and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Stamberg retired in September and is survived by her son, actor Josh Stamberg, and granddaughters Vivian and Lena. Early duties included cutting audio tape with a single-sided razor blade during NPR's founding years.

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