Walter Cronkite, dead at 92
Walter Cronkite, the revered and trusted CBS news anchor of nearly 20 years, died yesterday, Friday, July 17. He was 92.
The following is a portion of the statement CBS released upon learning of Cronkite’s death:
“Cronkite was the biggest name in television news, the king of the anchormen; in fact, he was the reporter for whom the term ‘anchorman’ was coined. He gave up that role 28 years ago, but never lost the weight and respect it accorded him, living the rest of his life as the industry’s distinguished elder statesman.”
Cronkite anchored the CBS Evening News from 1962 to 1981, a role that helped him emerge as “the most trusted man in America,” according to polls taken in 1973 and 1995. Cronkite covered many stories at the heart of American history — the Vietnam war, the Kennedy assassination, Watergate, and the moon landing, among others.
In high school, Cronkite was fascinated with journalism, an interest that soon developed into a life-long passion and talent. Eventually, after many years of writing and working for newspapers, radio, and television, Cronkite received an invitation from legendary reporter Edward R. Murrow to join CBS in 1950. He would remain there, in one form or another, the rest of his life.
Cronkite was the distinguished recipient of many awards, but perhaps his most notable came in 1981, the year he stepped down as anchor of the CBS Evening News, when Cronkite was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is the highest honor a U.S. civilian can receive.
Cronkite is survived by three children and four grandchildren. His wife of 65 years, Betsy, died in 2005.
Tags: anchorman, CBS Evening News, Walter Cronkite
July 19th, 2009 at 8:09 am
‘Most trusted’ is a cliche, perhaps, but honestly, Walter Cronkite was the second most important man in my life.
Walter Cronkite reinforced the lessons my father gave me.
And then in so many ways, he became the man who helped shape my life into the extraordinary journey that it’s been.
Thank you, Mr. Cronkite.