RIP Wendall Anschutz
 

http://www.kansascity.com/637/story/1668997.html


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

Wow, he was 71? He never looked that old.

He was a nice guy. His brother lived not too far from us in the early 80's, so we would see him in the neighborhood occasionally. As a kid I thought it was so cool to see "the guy from the TV" hanging out.

how does this happen but phil witt is still around.

He used to be my neighbor throughout the 80's when I lived in Lenexa and was one of the nicest guys you could know.

RIP

RIP

he did a fine job ... a KC news staple

Whatever happened to that hottie Anne Peterson? At least she was hot back in the 80's.....

I remember that dude; was on all the time when i was a kid.
him and Phil witt (still is), Cynthia Smith, Dan Henry, etc.

she is still around, i think.

Dan Henry said it was going to be like this. Wendel was a staple of KC local news when I was
growing up. He was KCs Ron Burgendy. RIP.
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dan henry is where i got my ms paint sctick ;)

Rub one out to this:

damn...she looks like someone i know very, very well.
sec

Done!

oops...I mean RIP,Wendall.

Had a great newsman voice.