Mason City native Senesky, who directed dozens of TV shows, dies at age 102

MASON CITY — A Mason City native who was a director on the original Star Trek and the Waltons TV series has died.

Ralph Senesky was born in Mason City in 1923. He attended Mason City High School, where he served as editor of the one-page “Cub Gazette” that appeared in the Globe Gazette weekly and also was a director’s assistant on school productions. Senesky then studied at the Pasadena Playhouse, later starting work as a stage director and production supervisor.

Between 1958 and 1988, Senesky directed multiple episodes for dozens of television shows and TV films. He was the last surviving person to have directed episodes of the original Star Trek and Twilight Zone series.

Senesky died on Saturday at the age of 102.