Martin Umansky
Broadcaster. Born: New York, New York. Died: May 4, 2000.
Martin Umansky was born in New York City, New York. He attended Grover Cleveland High School and the University of Missouri. There he served as editor of the student newspaper and graduated with a degree in journalism in 1940. Before landing his first broadcasting job, he adopted the on-air name of Martin Bass.
Umansky began his broadcasting career as editor at KANS radio station in Emporia, and then moved to KAKE Radio in Wichita. He was vice president and general manager of KAKEland Stations, which included KAKE-TV and Radio in Wichita and KUPK-TV and Radio in Garden City. He was later named president of the group. He moved from KAKE president in 1982 to chairman.
He served on the boards of Wichita Chamber of Commerce, Family Consultant Service, Catholic Social Welfare, and St. Joseph Hospital. He was president of the Wichita Art Museum of Kansas Cultural Arts Commission, chairman of ABC-TV Affiliates’ Board of Governors, and chairman of the Kansas Association of Broadcasters Commission.
Unmansky was business manager for and actively involved in the Wichita Community Theatre for two and half decades. He started the Wichita Sun, a weekly newspaper. Passionate about education, he worked hard to implement the Paideia approach to education in Wichita elementary schools.
He died on May 4, 2000, in Wichita.
Entry: Umansky, Martin
Author: Kansas Historical Society
Author information: The Kansas Historical Society is a state agency charged with actively safeguarding and sharing the state's history.
Date Created: August 2016
Date Modified: August 2016
The author of this article is solely responsible for its content.
