“And that’s the way it is Friday, July 17th, 2009"

July 17, 2009

Mr Walter Cronkite died today at home surrounded by his family in his home. He was 92.

A man who earned the title “The Most Trusted Man in America” by understanding and respecting the difference between news and commentary:

Our job is only to hold up the mirror — to tell and show the public what has happened.

Here are some links.

Wonder if he got a chuckle dying on a Friday night?

BBC
CNN
CNN obit video
CBS
NPR
NY Times Swedish anchormen were called “Cronkiters”

(2003) Recounts JFK assassination – He had no idea he was going to tear up when he made the announcement.

That moment was purely extemporaneous in every sense of the way. I hadn’t planned to have a tear in my eye. I wouldn’t have thought of that. I would never have yielded to that if it had been a thought. I would have regretted if I had broken down and couldn’t have continued. The brief show of emotion is perfectly natural.

(2001) LARRY KING: How many days are there where you miss being on?

Every day. Not being on…I don’t miss being on the air. I miss being at the center of gravity where you’re getting these stories together, getting the broadcast together — really setting the agenda for people’s consideration. That’s an important job, and I miss that.

As for his wife, Betsy Maxwell, who he met in 1936, married in 1940 and loved until her passing in 2005:

She was one of the most beautiful people I ever saw in my life. I saw her for the first time … coming down the hall … and I fell in love before I ever knew her name, or what she did, or whether I would ever see her again in life.

“Uncle Walter”

Walter Leland Cronkite, Jr
(Nov 14, 1916 – July 17, 2009)

“There were many important stories in the those years that affected the course of mankind that I would like to have covered.”

Who exists to do his justice?