American broadcaster, one of the most respected and reliable newscasters of the era who preceded over CBS coverage of the Presidential nominating conventions from 1952. He was CBS evening news anchor for more than 20 years, a beloved and trusted fixture in American living rooms through the ’60s and ’70s. Born and raised in the heartland, he had a cheery optimism that mirrored the everyday man, “work hard, play fair, believe in God and country and all will be right with the world.” His resonant voice, deep and rich, rumbled forth with a sense of momentousness. He is remembered for his departing catchphrase, “And that’s the way it is,” followed by the date of the broadcast.
In 1981 he signed off as the CBS Evening News anchor when Dan Rather took over, and left the board of CBS a decade later after an acrimonious dispute. He remained active on the lecture circuit, often in connection with special interests in ecology and wildlife.
Cronkite’s autobiography was published in 1996 “A Reporter’s Life.” He had a knee replaced that year and in March 1997, he had quadruple bypass surgery. He and his wife Betsy had three adult kids, Nancy, Kathy and Walter III.
Betsy, his wife since 1940 died at age 89 on 15 March 2005 in the couple’s Manhattan apartment. Cronkite died at age 92 on 17 July 2009 at 7:42 PM EDT in New York City.
Link to Wikipedia biography