Herbert Richard “Dan” Worden: Voice of the Prairies
In a city as young and changeable as Saskatoon, few figures stood so firmly at the crossroads of history and storytelling as Herbert Richard “Dan” Worden. A journalist, broadcaster, and community stalwart, Dan Worden chronicled the life of a province finding its voice. With microphone or pen in hand, he bore witness not just to events, but to the character of a people determined to build something lasting on the prairie.
Born in Devonshire, England, around September 8, 1892, to an Anglican clergyman John Daniel William Worden and mother Alice Mary (Kimens) Worden’s early life was a tapestry of place and language. Young Herbert—later known as Dan—spent time in Poland, where he picked up a working knowledge of the language. Fluent in French and conversant in German and Ukrainian, he embodied the internationalism that would soon define the Canadian West.
Worden arrived in Canada in 1911, part of that great tide of migration that sought hope and opportunity in the Dominion. The pull of the West—and the stories waiting to be told there—was too strong. By 1921, he had set his boots down in Saskatoon just five years incorporated, then a frontier town with ambitions far larger than its footprint.
At the Saskatoon Star-Phoenix newspaper, Worden quickly established himself as a reliable voice of reason and empathy, earning the public’s trust through decades of writing and radio broadcasting. He wasn’t just a reporter; he was a chronicler of the ordinary and the extraordinary alike. He understood that the life of a community is best seen not just in its triumphs, but in its daily rhythms.
On CKOM radio—then operating at 1250 AM—he became a beloved personality. In his programs Rambling, Route 1250, and The People You Meet, Worden invited listeners into the rich history of Saskatchewan, guided them through agricultural heartlands, and brought the lives of everyday residents into public view. He was a master of the intimate interview, an ambassador for those without a voice, and a friend to his listeners. His voice became part of the fabric of prairie mornings.
His presence at CKOM was not without humour. In a now-famous photograph from 1954, a jovial Dan Worden participated in an April Fool’s Day publicity stunt in downtown Saskatoon. The station—still relatively new at the time, just three years old—had recently boosted its broadcasting power to five thousand watts. While CKOM was still the underdog compared to the more established CFQC, owned by A.A. Murphy, Worden’s spirited presence and good humour became emblematic of CKOM’s ambition and charm.
Dan Worden’s legacy is marked not only by his career, but by his enduring service to the community. On September 8, 1961—his 70th birthday—he was awarded the City of Saskatoon’s Award of Merit for a lifetime of community contribution. It was a recognition not only of years, but of devotion, for he had given the city a narrative, a memory, and a sense of shared identity.
In a time before digitization, before the noise of social media, Dan Worden was the city’s memory keeper—its griot. He documented pioneer stories like those of Mrs. Bate Saskatoon pioneer, whose cassette-recorded memories of Christmas in 1885 were preserved thanks to Worden’s persistence. He reported on reunions and schoolhouse tales, such as his 1913 feature, An Apple for the Teacher, recalling and honouring early educators like William Holliston.
Herbert Richard “Dan” Worden passed away on October 1, 1964, at his home in Saskatoon and is buried next to his wife Wanda Rachel 1898-1972. He was 72 years old when he passed. Yet he remains very much alive in the memory of the city. His name lives on in Dan Worden Park, a green sanctuary named in his honour.
Dan Worden Park is a serene outdoor space in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan—a fitting tribute to a man who helped people see the city around them more clearly. The park offers a peaceful retreat for visitors, featuring an enchanting poplar bluff with native flowers and shrubbery of the understorey that reflect the wonderland of ecological variety of the prairie. With walking trails winding through shrubbery and shaded lawns, and greenspaces that invite gathering, play, and benches for quiet reflection, the park is a living legacy. It invites individuals and families to unwind, to observe, and to connect with the land—just as Dan Worden once invited listeners to connect with the stories that made Saskatchewan home.
In the words of those who knew him, Dan Worden did not just report on the people of Saskatoon—he was one of them. His voice helped shape the very identity of a city growing into itself. And like all great chroniclers, his legacy endures in the community he loved.
Enjoy your time in Dan Worden Park, where the prairie winds carry whispers of a storyteller who helped shape the soul of Saskatoon and celebrate the life of the man who gave voice to Saskatchewan’s stories.
A pottential idea: Join in the 25th-anniversary geocaching celebration by leaving behind silver-themed, silver-colored swag - tradeables wherever you roam.
Congrats to DosMaestrosJubilados on a well-earned First to Find!
Your thoughtful log on the Herbert Richard “Dan” Worden geocache truly captured the spirit of the hide. Thank you for your kind words—it's an honour to hear that the cache description helped “tap into the rich history of Saskatoon” and brought to light another remarkable figure from our city's past.
We’re especially glad the parking challenge wasn’t too much of a hurdle—and that your persistence paid off!
Here's to your continued geocaching adventures, uncovering stories both hidden and historic.
Bibliography: Herbert Richard “Dan” Worden
1926 Census of Canada.
Bate, Mrs. Cassette Recording. Interviewed by Dan Worden. February 14, 1959. Saskatoon, SK. Recording discusses pioneer Christmases in Saskatoon during 1885 and 1886. City of Saskatoon Archives.
“Dan Worden Participates in an April Fool's Day Publicity Stunt for CKOM in Downtown Saskatoon.” Photograph. April 1, 1954. CKOM Radio Archives. Image depicts early radio promotions during the 1950s era of Saskatchewan broadcasting. World Radio History
Leader-Post [Regina, Saskatchewan]. “Worden, Popular Newsman Dies.” The Leader-Post, October 2, 1964, p. 1. ProQuest Historical Newspapers. Accessed September 2, 2022.
Saskatoon StarPhoenix. “An Apple for the Teacher.” Saskatoon StarPhoenix, April 8, 1913. Feature article by Herbert R. Worden recounting early school days in Saskatoon and the contributions of educator William Holliston at Alexandra School.
Saskatoon StarPhoenix. “Award of Merit Given to Dan Worden.” Saskatoon StarPhoenix, September 8, 1961. Recognition of Worden’s 70th birthday and a lifetime of community service and journalistic achievement.
Saskatoon StarPhoenix. “CKOM Celebrates Power Boost with April Fools’ Day Event.” Saskatoon StarPhoenix, June 8, 1961. Article about CKOM’s signal increase and public stunts, including appearances by local radio personalities such as Dan Worden.
Acknowledgment:
Special thanks to J. Jeffrey O’Brien, City Archivist, City of Saskatoon, for his expert guidance and archival support in researching the life and legacy of Herbert Richard “Dan” Worden.
*Dogs on leash*