Walter Cronkite Dies At Age 92

“He was the most important voice in our lives for thirty years. And that voice made people reach for the stars. I hate the world without Walter Cronkite.” – George Clooney

Walter Cronkite, “the most trusted man in the world” died at his New York home today at the age of 92; no official cause of death was given, but Cronkite has been in failing health for a while.

“My father Walter Cronkite died,” his son Chip said Friday night. CBS interrupted programming to show an obit of the legendary anchorman.

Cronkite was the voice of an era, serving as anchor and managing editor of the “CBS Evening News” from 1962 until 1981. He was there with America for its highs and lows and handled each story with grace and masterful professionalism.

For two generations of Americans, Cronkite was a witness to history who also helped shaped perceptions of it. Although he rarely displayed emotion on camera, those moments are seared into the nation’s collective consciousness — Cronkite tearing up while announcing the assassination of John F. Kennedy, decrying the “thugs” at the 1968 Democratic National Convention or exclaiming “Go, baby, go!” as Apollo 11 lifted off for the moon 40 years ago this week.

“Walter was truly the father of television news…..The trust that viewers placed in him was based on the recognition of his fairness, honesty and strict objectivity.” – Morley Safer, correspondent for CBS’ “60 Minutes”

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Walter Cronkite tells America that President John F. Kennedy has died…..

Five years later, on April 4, 1968, the special report was about Martin Luther King, Jr.