A Chicago broadcast legend, known for his reports on the agricultural industry while being a multi-time radio and television hall of fame inductee, died at age 91 at his home in Huntley.
Orion Samuelson, 91, of Huntley, died on Monday at his home in Huntley while he was on hospice, according to the McHenry County Coroner’s Office.
Coroner’s officials said a cause of death has not been formally declared yet.
Samuelson spent 60 years at WGN before retiring in 2020 — serving in the industry over the span of 12 different U.S. presidents being in office.
He worked for multiple Wisconsin radio stations before joining WGN Radio in 1960 as the head agriculture broadcaster. He hosted the “Top ‘O the Mornin” show on WGN TV, also during the 60s.
Samuelson, who was born in Wisconsin on a dairy farm, specialized in farm broadcasting and was a vital resource for farmers, including rural Americans.
Samuelson also hosted a weekly television farm show called U.S. Farm Report alongside Max Armstrong. The show was syndicated to 150 markets in the United States.
He was known for his ability to explain the agriculture business in an easy, understandable way to Americans.
Samuelson has been the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including the American Farm Bureau’s Distinguished Service Award in 1998; the National 4-H Alumni Award and was the only broadcaster in the nation to receive two Oscars in agriculture — one for radio and one for television, according to the Radio Hall of Fame.
Former WGN-TV meteorologist Tom Skilling said it was “with profound sadness” to learn about Samuelson’s death, saying he was a friend and a “fixture” on WGN radio.
Skilling said Samuelson was teamed with Max Armstrong for 42 of his 60 years at WGN and the two broadcasters were among the “most unique and talented broadcast teams ever to sit before a microphone, or in later years a television camera.”
“Listening to Orion and Max, you instantly knew that you were tapping the expertise of two people who understood–but more importantly, loved farm life and recognized the critical importance of a foundational pillar of the U.S. economy–the world of agriculture,” Skilling said.
“We took what Orion and Max reported to us each day as the important and relevant news it was–not only the source of the food we eat but an industry responsible for $1.5-trillion of our country’s annual Gross Domestic Product and an industry responsible, directly or indirectly, for 15 to 30% of our country’s employment. Orion and Max talked to us with such obvious passion and charm–and, in so doing, they educated,” he said.
Samuelson was inducted into the Chicago Journalism Hall of Fame in 1996, the Chicago Television Academy’s Silver Circle in 2001, the Radio Hall of Fame in 2003 and the Illinois Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame in 2005.
He was additionally named the 2003 Farm Broadcaster of the Year by the National Association of Farm Broadcasters.
The City of Chicago named the corner of Illinois Street and Cityfront Plaza Drive “Orion Samuelson Way” in 2010.
“Job well done, Orion!! We are going to miss you–and profoundly! To your family and all who loved and admired you as we have all these years—our thoughts are with each of you!” Skilling said.
A visitation is set for April 9 at DeFiore Funeral & Cremation Service in Huntley and a funeral service will be held on April 10 at Shepherd of the Prairie Lutheran Church in Huntley.