Beloved Morning Host Signs Off
Retiring long-time AM Northwest host Helen Raptis knew as a teenager she wanted her own talk show. By age 19 her journey began, and she found she was a natural.
“As a child I was always talkative and bossy,” she says. “I remember pretending I was the host of an acrobatic show, and I introduced my brothers and made them do tricks!”
May 29th, Helen hosted her final show after 28 years as host of KATU’s morning show. Over the years her interviews have covered topics ranging
from mental health to current movies, cooking, comedy, and more.
“As host, I’ve learned that people like it when you’re yourself,” she says. “I think people like to watch me because I’m real. I’ve talked about problems with pets, my husband, my dysfunctional childhood, and breast cancer journey. When my Labradoodle Sophie had hip problems and couldn’t walk, the audience gave me good advice on how to coax her into a stroller.”
Her first job was at a Seattle station, first as receptionist, then news floor director, then production assistant. She loved it, but after five years she followed a boy to Montana. There, she hosted a talk show in Butte, and anchored the news in Helena. She soon moved to Eugene to work as an anchor and reporter, and finally to Portland to join KGW’s “Good Evening” show.
As she neared 40, Helen joined AM Northwest as “The Roving Redhead” field reporter. After filling in for various hosts, the role became hers permanently.
Initially tongue-tied when talking to celebrities, she says, “Now I see them as just another person. Although I might still get nervous interviewing George Clooney because he’s so incredibly handsome!” And while many interviewers like to ask about people’s kids or past scandals, Helen says, “I love to ask about their pets. Then they shine!” She also loves interviewing autobiographers, she says. “Everyone has a story, and I love finding out about them. I’m naturally nosey!”
Among her favorite interviews were with actor/environmentalist Ed Begley Jr, and actor Henry Winkler, describing the latter as adorable and talented, adding, “his life story was fascinating.”
Helen’s many awards include a Regional Emmy and Broadcaster of the Year (Montana). She was also inducted into the Silver Circle, a prestigious honor society of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
Like all of us, Helen has endured times of pain. One of the toughest, she says, was when her beloved co-host, Dave Anderson, died of pancreatic cancer. “We talked about it a lot on the show. I cry easily and am impacted by people’s stories. Any one of us could be in their position — losing the love of our life, a job, or being homeless.”
While her TV career was a shining success, Helen has many other, no less impressive talents. As a professional artist, she uses her paintings to fundraise for causes such as animal rescue and children in need. Her paintings also decorate the AM Northwest studio.
“As a child I loved drawing faces, and still do,” she says. “I paint portraits now — either commissioned, for a friend, or for charities. My paintings are simple, and I like to use bright colors — influenced by growing up in Jamaica. As a child, it was always doing art and acting. I wanted to be onstage!”
In fact, acting is also a craft in which Helen excels, starting in high school. In recent years, she’s acted in plays at Triangle Productions, including one-woman shows that have earned rave reviews. Most recently, she portrayed a hilarious Dot in “The Savannah Sipping Society.”
Helen lives in Vancouver with her “very funny” husband of 33 years, David Schmitke, two 100-pound dogs, and one sassy cat. She is Aunt Gigi to a niece and nephew, whom she hopes to visit more in retirement. An honorary baby granddaughter lives down the street.
She may be retiring, but her many interests, friends, and family will keep her busy during retirement. “I’m not an angel!” she says. “I’m not athletic. I can’t sing. And I’m not keen on thrill rides since doing a reverse bungee jump at Mt. Hood!”
She may say what she’s not, but that’s far outweighed by what she is: down-to-earth, smart as a whip, warm, hardworking, fun-loving, and gifted. She’s also someone everyone loves to watch — and know.
Always, she is herself — and what better self to be than Helen Raptis.
Candy Puterbaugh
50plus Magazine
Candy Puterbaugh is a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, groan-inducing punster, writer, competitive runner, pet lover, and tender of gardens.