KMTV is sad to announce the death of long-time staffer Cal Kirshen. He died Thursday at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home in Omaha. Kirshen was 86.
Kirshen worked in several capacities at KMTV, including weather, sports, and sales. He leaves behind his wife of more than 60 years, three sons, and one daughter.
His obituary is as follows:
Kevee (Cal Kirshen) Kirshenbaum, 86 years old, passed away on April 14th, 2016 at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home in Omaha, NE. He was born on November 10th 1929 in Omaha to Abraham and Yetta Kirshenbaum.
As a youngster Kevee spent many days at the old Jewish Community Center perfecting his basketball talent. He and his siblings helped out at their father’s grocery store and helped deliver bread and butter to Omaha’s Jewish community. After graduating from Central High School in 1947 and enrolled at Omaha University and graduated with a Business Administration degree with a minor in a new broadcasting program.
In 1951 he was drafted into the Army and was sent to Korea. He was discharged in 1954, finished college and moved to Los Angeles, CA to attend a radio and television school. While attending classes he got a job at a local bank and met a charming brunette vacationing in L.A., Joan Vavrina from Queens, NY. They were married in 1955 and got a job in a small radio station in Littlefield, TX where he worked alongside a young up and coming Country Western singer named Waylon Jennings.
He was offered a job at KFAB back in Omaha where he did newscasts and working nights. Kevee, now professionally known as Cal Kirshen, was hired at local TV station, KMTV. There he learned the ropes from Floyd Kalber and Tom Brokaw. He did live commercials and eventually did sports casting and later became the station’s weatherman. In 1973 he moved to the sales department and worked in that capacity until he officially retired in 2001. Retirement didn’t last long and he returned to KMTV on a part-time basis.
Kevee, or “Keekee” as he was nicknamed by his siblings, enjoyed UNL football, attending his grandkid’s programs and spending time with his family.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Joan Kirshenbaum from Omaha; son Craig (Sharon) Kirshenbaum of Omaha; son Todd Kirshenbaum of York, NE; daughter Kerry (Mike) Hollst of Elkhorn, NE and son Larry (Amy) of Denver CO. Grandchildren Anthony Marcola of Scottsdale, AZ; Nicholas (Sara) Kirshenbaum; Angela (Trent) Jindra; Ryan Hollst; Shaylie Hollst and Ayden Hollst all of Omaha and Roby Kirshenbaum of Denver, CO., a sister Rose Cohen and brother Joseph (Maxine) Kirshenbaum of Omaha and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
He is proceeded in death by father and mother Abraham and Yetta Kirshenbaum and brother Max Kirshenbaum.
In lieu of flowers, the family has set up a memorial fund at the The Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, 323 So. 132nd street, Omaha, NE 68154.
Grave site services will be held at Mt. Sinai Cemetery, 7603 Crown Point Avenue at 11:00 am on Sunday April 17 followed by funeral service and reception at Temple Israel Synagogue 13111 Sterling Ridge Drive in Omaha at 12:30 pm.
