Former KCTV anchor Wendall Anschutz dies

[proud2BlibKansan]

Wendall Anschutz, whose serious approach to news and folksy presence on camera made him Kansas City’s most popular news anchor throughout the 1980s, died Thursday morning. He was 71 and had been undergoing treatment for metastatic throat cancer at the University of Kansas Medical Center.

From 1966 to 2001, Anschutz was a reporter and anchor at KCMO-TV, later known as KCTV. He became an anchor in 1969, was kicked back to a reporter’s job when new management came in, then worked his way back behind the desk.

On July 16, 1979, he was paired with a new co-anchor, Anne Peterson, and the two quickly became a sensation, attracting 40 percent of the audience to their newscasts by year’s end. They went on to form one of the TV industry’s most durable on-air partnerships, finally ending when Anschutz opted for retirement in 2001.

In 1989, Anschutz suffered a stroke and, as part of his recovery, began oil painting. Eventually he sold his works to galleries. His most popular paintings featured enormous, tidal-wave-shaped clouds looming over the prairie.

Funeral arrangements are pending, according to a family member.

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They don't make them like this anymore. KCTV has not been the same since Wendall retired. RIP.

[Sienna86]

1. He was a class act.

I remember him well from my days in KC. I'll have to check for any photos of his art work.

[elana i am]

2. i read a quote yesterday

from stan cramer who said he was the "cronkite of kc." when i was in the 3rd grade my class took a tour of kctv5 studios and mr. anschutz was our tour guide. if a 3rd grader could have a crush, then that's what i got.

[proud2BlibKansan]

3. He lived down the street from my in-laws

And yes, he was a class act. Very nice man. Great reporter too.

Remember Stan Carmack? He was on channel 5 also. He died about a year ago. He was a lifelong Democrat and was active in several local political groups.