NEW YORK — Veteran New York television journalist Bill Ritter announced Friday that he is stepping away from the anchor desk after being diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease.
Ritter, a fixture on WABC-TV for decades, said Friday’s edition of Eyewitness News at 6 p.m. would be his final broadcast as an anchor. He has led the station’s 6 p.m. newscast since 2001.
Sharing the news directly with viewers, Ritter said, “After a series of tests, my doctors have told me I have Alzheimer’s. It’s early-stage Alzheimer’s, and they say the treatments I’m getting are keeping it at bay for now, but there is no guarantee, because there’s no cure yet for Alzheimer’s. So, unless someone finds an amazing cure, and soon, tonight (Friday) will be the last newscast I anchor.”
His departure from the anchor chair marks the close of a long and prominent run in local television news. Ritter joined WABC-TV in 1998 following a journalism career that included work in print, notably at the Los Angeles Times, as well as local television in California and network assignments with ABC News.
At WABC, Ritter took over the 11 p.m. edition of Eyewitness News in October 1999, succeeding Bill Beutel. He later added the 6 p.m. newscast in February 2001 and also spent several years anchoring the station’s 5 p.m. broadcast.
Although he is leaving his anchoring duties, Ritter said he will remain with Eyewitness News in a different capacity. In that role, he plans to report on what he described as the “rising tide” of Alzheimer’s and related diseases, focusing on their impact on patients and families, as well as the often overwhelming cost of treatment and care and what changes may be needed nationwide.
“For decades, Bill Ritter has covered and led New Yorkers through the stories that matter most. A defining presence at ABC7, he has done so with exceptional insight, integrity, and, most of all, heart, earning the love and respect of viewers and colleagues alike. While he is stepping away from daily anchoring, he will continue to be an integral part of our ABC7 family, including sharing personal updates and providing resources to help others impacted by Alzheimer’s better understand the disease and the resources available to them. Bill is strong, brilliant, and resourceful, and we look forward to his continued reporting on Eyewitness News.”
Ritter said he is deeply familiar with the disease, having lost his father to Alzheimer’s in 1998. Ritter has been active in the fight against the disease for many years.
In his own words, below, as well as in the embedded video, Ritter shares a very personal message.
“Last year, I turned 75 years old, and I thought it was time to cut back a bit.
After so many years, I stopped anchoring the 11 o’clock news, and then later, the 5 o’clock news. My goal was to spend more time with my family.
A year ago, I became a grandfather thanks to my oldest daughter, and later this summer, I’ll have a second grandchild thanks to my son.
In a year, my youngest daughter will graduate high school, but spending more time with my family has now become even more important because my life has taken a turn.
After a series of tests, my doctors have told me I have Alzheimer’s.
It’s “early-stage” Alzheimer’s, and they say the treatments I’m getting are keeping it at bay for now, but there is no guarantee, because there’s no cure yet for Alzheimer’s.
So, unless someone finds an amazing cure, and soon, tonight (Friday) will be the last newscast I anchor.
It is not easy to say that, to all of you, our viewers, and to the people I work with, like the man I’ve worked with for 25 and a half years, our producer, and my friend, Zahir Sachedina.
I believe we are the longest-running, behind-the-scenes newscast team ever, here, and maybe anywhere — a Muslim producer, and a Jewish anchor — for 25 and a half years.
It’s what the melting pot of New York and the Tri-State — and I would hope the country — is all about.
For 23 of these years, I anchored next to my remarkable partner and friend Liz Cho. We are the longest-running, on-air team in the history of Channel 7.
And for 20 years, another Eyewitness News record, with Lee Goldberg, the best meteorologist in the country, and who is also my great friend.
And our oh-so-talented, as we’ve seen these past few weeks, sports anchor Ryan Field, who makes me laugh every day, and who also likes to laugh at me just about every day.
And sitting with me for 14 years on the 11 o’clock news and then later on the 5 o’clock news, I sat next to the amazing Sade Baderinwa. We remain the longest-running 11 o’clock team on Eyewitness News.
I also want to say “thanks” to my bosses at WABC. They have treated me and my family with compassion and humanity, and love.
As for my family, my kids say, “Dad — you’re being so brave in all this.” But no — it’s not me, it’s them who are being brave. As is my wife, Kathleen.
So, what will I do now? Well, I’m going to continue working. Right here at ABC7.
I will continue helping the younger journalists here at Eyewitness News.
Hey, I’m now 76. So, for me, everyone in the newsroom is younger than I am.
I’m also going to remain a journalist here at Eyewitness News, and so, you will still see me on air and online. One reason? Because this station wants to dig deeper into the rising tide of Alzheimer’s, and other similar diseases, including how it’s affecting patients and their families, how the price of treatment and the price of caring for patients is simply unaffordable and how this country might begin to change that.
I am not a stranger to this disease. My dad died with it in June 1998. I have since been active in the fight to stop Alzheimer’s, and I will continue that, along with my friend Mike Marza, who took my place last year on Eyewitness News at 5 and 11.
Mike’s grandfather died from this disease, and we have emceed together many Alzheimer’s awareness events to spread the word.
I am going to so miss reporting the news to you. With the truth, and with facts, no matter where they fall.
It has been my honor to do that.
For now, I wish you health and peace, and let’s take care of each other.
Sincerely,
Bill Ritter”
You can find more information about the disease online at the Alzheimer’s Association website.
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