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Harry Dekker: Small in stature with a big voice and an enormous heart

At the outset, I must give credit to Harry Dekker's eldest son, David, for providing much of the story of his father and CJNB Radio. It must be true that no one knows a father like a son. Harry G.
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At the outset, I must give credit to Harry Dekker's eldest son, David, for providing much of the story of his father and CJNB Radio. It must be true that no one knows a father like a son.


Harry G. Dekker was born on June 2, 1922 to Dutch immigrants George and Dora Dekkers at North Battleford. The family name was "Dekkers." Harry dropped the "s" when he got into radio. He grew up in the nearby community of Brada where his father was a railway section foreman. Harry received his elementary education at Brada and Denholm, and Grades 10, 11 and 12 at the North Battleford Collegiate Institute.


Harry became interested in broadcasting at age 14 and sought advice from big name announcers. When Harry was in Grade 11, he met CFQC manager Vern Dallin who advised him to finish high school before embarking on a career in broadcasting. In 1940, at the age of 18, Harry was hired by CFQC as an announcer and began his broadcasting career as the host of the "Waxworks" program.


After serving with the Royal Canadian Air Force from 1942 to 1945, Harry returned to CFQC where he worked as an announcer and program director.


In 1947, a group of confident and optimistic investors formed CJNB Radio. The new enterprise was located on the second floor of the Sallows and Boyd Building. CJNB signed on with 250 watts of power at a frequency of 1240 that was increased to 1,000 watts in 1951 and 10,000 watts in 1958.


Harry was hired as general manager in 1954 and remained active in radio until his passing five decades later. The name Harry Dekker has been synonymous with CJNB over the years. But managing the radio station also became a family enterprise. In 1951, Harry met and married colleague and broadcaster, Christine Wiebe, with whom he formed and co-hosted the "Double Dekker Breakfast Club," one of only a few husband and wife radio shows in Western Canada. In 1954, the show was moved to North Battleford. The couple's engaging manner, informative content and humour attracted legions of loyal listeners from the Battlefords and surrounding area, and made the radio show the most popular in the province.


Under the leadership of Harry Dekker, the radio not only brought CJNB to the community, it brought the community to the radio station. Don Speer and Bob Kenny recalled their Sunday school class gathering in the CJNB studios on Sunday mornings in 1955 to sing live over the radio - a special occasion for the children that was well-received by the community. Bruce McDonald remembered listening to a live, locally produced radio show of upbeat music called "Auntie Eileen's." Fred Walker added that CJNB Radio also organized and broadcast the Associated Commercial Travellers talent shows from the Co-op Hall in the adjoining building.


Over the years, with Harry at the helm, the small radio station prospered and grew. In 1959, Harry was the prime mover in the construction of a new studio and office building on 100th Street. In 1963, CJNB was bought out by the Rawlinson family with whom a solid business and personal relationship was forged. In 1977, a satellite station, CJNS, was built to serve Meadow Lake and surrounding area, and a whole new audience of radio listeners. In 1989, the Dekkers and the Rawlinson family formed Northwestern Radio Partnership and became joint owners of both radio stations. In 2001, the partnership spearheaded CJNB's most ambitious expansion project - the construction of state-of-the-art broadcast facilities. After Harry's passing, the business continued to grow. In 2005, CJNS RADIO was converted to FM band that now broadcasts 102.3 MHz at 50,000 watts. In addition, a repeater of Q98FM added a third radio station to serve Meadow Lake and area. In April 2008, 93.3 The Rock added a third radio station in the Battlefords.


During his many years in the broadcasting industry, Harry helped establish the careers of many successful Canadian broadcasters including Wally Macht, Don Whitman, Ron Smith, Dale Issac, Murray Wood, John Gormley, George Garret and Terry Spence. Harry was also actively involved in the promotion of the radio business. He served terms as a director of the Western Association of Broadcasters, Saskatchewan Association of Broadcasters, Radio Bureau of Canada, Saskatchewan Country Music Association Hall of Fame and Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers.


Despite that Harry was heavily involved in all aspects of the broadcasting industry, he gave unstintingly of his time to community service and as a volunteer. He was past president of the North Battleford Branch of the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation, St. John Ambulance and the Battlefords Cross-Country Ski Club. In addition, he was a member of the Battlefords Shrine Club, Branch No. 70 Royal Canadian Legion and the Battlefords Wildlife Federation.


Given Harry's work with charitable community organizations, it was fitting that he should be recognized for his extraordinary commitment to his fellow man. He was an honourary lifetime Big Brother, honourary lifetime member of the Kinsmen and Rotary Clubs and honourary chairman of the Battlefords United Way. In addition he received awards from the Canadian Red Cross, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Battlefords Agricultural Society, North Battleford Kinsmen Band and Scouts Canada. One presenter noted that, "Every community organization, service club and activity has benefited, in one form or another, from Harry Dekker's attention and publicity through CJNB Radio. This service has been provided throughout his many years in the Battlefords…" Harry was also honoured by First Nations. In 1965, he was made an honourary chief and given the name "Chief Good Morning Voice."


It should come as no surprise that Harry would be recognized and honoured for his work and involvement in the broadcasting industry. In 2001, he was inducted into the Canadian Association of Broadcasters Broadcast Hall of Fame, which underscored the critical importance of Canada's broadcast pioneers, innovators and entrepreneurs. In 2007, Harry was chosen Broadcaster of the Year by the Western Association of Broadcasters, a posthumous award to recognize his community work and service to the broadcast industry. Finally, the new, beautiful Dekker Centre of the Performing Arts honours the legacies of the late Harry and Christine Dekker.


Harry remained active in broadcasting until his death in March, 2004. His remarkable career in the business he loved so dearly spanned more than 63 years.


Rawlco Radio Ltd. assumed full ownership of the radio stations with CRTC approval, which was announced in April 2012. Harry's eldest son, David, continues as general manager of CJNB/CJNS/Q98/93.3 The Rock. Harry Michael hosted the Dekker Breakfast Club on CJNB/CJNS. A third son, Dana, resides in Vancouver while son Christopher works for the provincial government in Saskatoon. Sadly, Harry's wife Christine died of cancer in October, 2011.


Harry was immensely successful in business and in service to our community. But above all, he was a family man. Harry and Christine were married on June 2, 1951 and enjoyed a wonderful marriage. Christine was Harry's partner and best friend. They were blessed to have four wonderful sons and four cherished daughters-in-law and eight amazing grandchildren. The family has wonderful memories of great family gatherings and summers at their cabin on Murray Lake.


Harry loved mountain climbing, hiking, gardening and bird watching. He enjoyed hockey and boxing, and was a passionate supporter of the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Harry and Christine traveled widely, visiting dozens of exotic places around the world. Everyone knew Harry and Christine in the Battlefords, and most were friends or people they knew. The Dekkers enjoyed a wonderful social life, either attending get-togethers or hosting.


Harry G. Dekker was perhaps our city's most colourful and engaging citizen. His great love and selfless promotion of radio broadcasting, and our city, is a testament to his character and the way he lived his life. On the occasion of North Battleford's centennial, we stand in admiration and appreciation of a truly great citizen - Harry G. Dekker.