By James Heinz

One of the first female TV journalists in the country was Wisconsin’s own Bunny Raasch, who began working as a weekend anchor at WISN TV in 1974, where she later worked as assistant news director, and then news director.  She had previously worked as a producer, copywriter, talk show host, and moderator at Channel 4. She has been honored for her contributions to TV journalism.

And recently, I was honored to meet her.

Bunny contacted WMHS asking if we would accept a donation of items from her.  It turns out that her family had been close friends with Milwaukee’s first port director and WMHS founder Harry Brockel.  Bunny has fond memories of Brockel and she wanted to share some things related to him with us. 

These included a color film of the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway and a recorded audio interview with Brockel and a video tape tribute to him, as well as a book about the Milwaukee River signed by him and numerous newspaper clippings about Brockel.  

I accepted them for WMHS, grateful for Bunny’s generosity and to have had the opportunity to meet a living legend.

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James Heinz is the Wisconsin Marine Historical Society’s acquisitions director. He became interested in maritime history as a kid watching Jacques Cousteau’s adventures on TV. He was a Great Lakes wreck diver until three episodes of the bends forced him to retire from diving. He was a University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee police officer for thirty years. He regularly flies either a Cessna 152 or 172.