Sherm Booen

Inducted 2002

When Sherm Booen wasn't on the air, he was in the air. He matched his skills in broadcasting with his love of airplanes and flying to create one of the region's longest-running television programs, World of Aviation.

Sherm earned his amateur radio license (WØRHT) in 1934 and began his career in broadcasting in 1936 at KWTN Watertown, South Dakota, and then joined KATE Albert Lea, Minnesota, as program director. An instrument-rated pilot, he served four years as a civilian "technical representative" for the US Army Air Force in World War II.

He returned to radio in 1946 at WDGY Minneapolis/Saint Paul, where he hosted the popular Friendly Time program. In 1950 he moved to WTCN TV Minneapolis/Saint Paul (now WCCO TV) as an announcer.

Marine Captain Sherm Booen was recalled to active duty in August of 1950 where he served in Korea for about six weeks before being moved to East Tokyo, Japan. There he served as commanding officer, program director, news producer, and newscaster for Armed Forces Radio Network Far East operating out of the famous 200,000 watt Radio Tokyo at 800 kHz until July 4th, 1951.

He returned to WCCO TV in 1952 where he created, hosted, and produced World of Aviation, the world's only regularly scheduled aviation television program. The show ran for 28 years, until his retirement in 1982. Sherm worked tirelessly to promote aviation, founding Minnesota Flyer Magazine and helped establish the Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame.

He retired as a colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps Air Reserve.

Sherm passed away on April 4, 2011 at the age of 97.