HUMAN

Name: Dave Stroh
Age: 62
Residence: Anchorage, Alaska
Occupation: Radio and television broadcaster.
Years involved with Iditarod: 26 
Iditarod Role: Ceremonial start announcer.
Current Location: Anchorage, Alaska. 
Date of Photo: March 7, 2020
Temperature: 18F/Outdoors

What, who or how and when did you first get involved with the Iditarod?

I got involved with Iditarod in 1994 after watching it with some interest in 1982. I thought, “They needed an announcer,” and so I contacted Joanne Potts. Then surprisingly she called me the day before the 1994 Iditarod and asked me if I’d be her announcer. I said, “Yes,” and I’ve been here for 26 years.

What is your Why?..Why are you here today and involved in Iditarod?

I’m here today and involved with the Iditarod because I just like to be a part of Alaska’s history. You’re talking to a mere high-school graduate, and then some 40 years later I’m hobnobbing and associating with pioneers of Alaska, legendary figures, and inspiring personalities.

Tell me about just one of your most memorable Iditarod experiences?

But one of the most memorable Iditarod experiences was encountering one of Elvis Presley’s co-stars from his movies Girl Happy and Harum Scarum actress Mary Ann Mobley who was up, courtesy Marylou Whitney, and I spotted her in downtown Anchorage. Called her out. She came over and gave me one of the biggest showbiz kisses you could ever imagine, and she thanked me profusely for calling her out and shouting out the fact that she’d been Elvis’s co-star.

What do you know for sure?:

What I know for sure in life is I am proud to be an Alaskan, and I am proud to be a part of Iditarod.