![Ray ‘The Menards Guy’ Szmanda Dies At Age Of 91](http://townsquare.media/site/163/files/2018/05/Menards-West-Duluth-Google-Maps.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Ray ‘The Menards Guy’ Szmanda Dies At Age Of 91
One of the Northland's iconic pitchmen as well as a Midwest broadcast pioneer has passed away at the age of 91. Ray Szmanda - who for more than 40 years was the face and voice of Menards television and radio commercials passed away Sunday, May 6 from undisclosed causes near his home in Antigo in central Wisconsin.
While most people were familiar with the personality Szmanda played for Menards (think blue sweater, large black-framed glasses), he had a deep and varied career in broadcasting. His radio career started back in the early 1950's. From 1959 until the late 1970's, he operated a broadcasting school called Trans-American School of Broadcasting in Wausau, Wisconsin - a facility that taught the trade to many up-and-coming broadcasters. He even acted in a feature film.
It was during the end of that period that he assumed his most-remembered role. In 1976, Szmanda first started pitching for Menards on television, radio, newspapers, even billboards.
More From KOOL 101.7
![Fleetwood Mac’s New Guitarists, Mike Campbell and Neil Finn, Perform Together for the First Time](http://townsquare.media/site/295/files/2018/05/Mike-Campbell-Neil-Finn-Ethan-Miller-Hannah-Peters.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![As Tick Season Kicks Off, CDC Reminds Public To Be Vigilant For Tiny Ticks And Take Steps To Prevent Bites](http://townsquare.media/site/164/files/2018/05/Muffin.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Phil Collins Announces First North American Tour in Eight Years](http://townsquare.media/site/295/files/2018/05/Phil-Collins1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Vivian Campbell Says It’s ‘Important’ to Make New Def Leppard Album](http://townsquare.media/site/295/files/2017/03/Jason-Squires-Getty-Images.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Axl Rose is ‘Misrepresented in the Press,’ Says Guns N’ Roses Keyboardist](http://townsquare.media/site/295/files/2018/05/reedrose.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Keely Gelineau In Her New Series And Being Mom](http://townsquare.media/site/163/files/2018/05/20170601_094308-e1525585012918.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Tim Allen’s ‘Last Man Standing’ May Be Revived at FOX](http://townsquare.media/site/442/files/2017/06/last-man-standing-cmt-pic.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![How Vincent Furnier Became Alice Cooper at a Moment’s Notice](http://townsquare.media/site/295/files/2018/05/gordoncooper.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Gary Rossington Says He’s Had Heart Attacks Onstage](http://townsquare.media/site/295/files/2018/05/Gary-Rossington-Lynyrd-Skynyrd-Photo.jpg?w=980&q=75)