Veteran journalist Joehnck was ‘just a natural’

A veteran journalist’s wit, wisdom and work ethic is being remembered in newsrooms across Saskatchewan and beyond.

Manfred Joehnck’s sudden death has brought an overwhelming sense of loss in the newsroom of Missinipi Broadcasting Corporation.

“We’re all very deeply impacted,” said Kelly Provost, news director for MBC, where Joehnck worked as a part-time reporter since 2012.

Joehnck died suddenly in Battleford, where he was covering the murder trial of Gerald Stanley, a farmer charged in the death of Colten Boushie of Red Pheasant First Nation.

“We were first alerted to the possibility that there was a problem when he didn’t report for work duties,” Provost said Tuesday.

A search was instigated and Joehnck was found deceased Monday. The cause of death is not being released at this time.

MBC serves the Indigenous community and operates a radio network throughout Saskatchewan.

“One of the things that I’ve learned since Manfred’s passing, that I didn’t realize, was how much mentoring he has done for journalists and broadcasters across the province, including people on staff,” Provost said.

Joehnck’s mentoring with MBC goes back to the 1980s when he trained young journalists on how to use equipment, interview and tell a story.

Provost described Joehnck, who was MBC’s legislative correspondent and covered current affairs for the Regina and southern Saskatchewan region, as “a consummate pro and a savvy news veteran who was just a natural.” Joehnck will be missed by many. “Mostly I will miss our discussions about journalism and the challenges of reporting for certain audiences, as we both did,” noted Karen Briere, the Regina correspondent for the Western Producer.

“He was always keenly interested in what farmers thought about issues. I also admired his work ethic. He was supposed to be part time for MBC, but he worked until he felt the story was done.”

Joehnck, who was 64, was a familiar name and face for television viewers across the province as a news anchor for CTV Regina from 2001 to 2011.

Tara Robinson co-anchored the supper newscast with him from 2001 until 2007, when she left Regina. She was heartbroken to hear of her friend’s sudden death.

“He loved the news, so he was doing what he loved doing — that’s comforting to some extent,” she said from her office at the Calgary Police Interpretative Centre.

Former Leader-Post reporter Will Chabun recalled a fundraiser held about 15 years ago that was emceed by Joehnck and Robinson.

At one point, Joehnck described their co-anchoring relationship as: “We’re like an old married couple: we argue a lot — and no sex!”

Although he was known for his quips on and off air, the news was not a joking matter for Joehnck, Robinson said.

“He impressed upon the younger journalists to get it right and to ask the hard questions,” she said. “His fingerprints and his heart are in many newsrooms across Canada.”

Prior to working at CTV, Joehnck was news director at CKRM Radio for 14 years.

“He was the best news director I ever had — bar none,” said Jim Smalley, the farm news director at CKRM.

Joehnck hired him for his current position in 1982, and they had worked together in the ’70s.

“He had great news sense, was a great news writer and he had great skills as a manager of a newsroom,” Smalley said.

“He led by example. He worked very hard and he expected others to do the same.”