Bob Petty, ‘pioneer’ anchorman, dead at 79

He was an esteemed anchorman at ABC 7, where he hosted and produced several shows over three decades.

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Pioneer anchorman Bob Petty (left) with Reverend Ruben Cruz and Theresa Gutierrez on the set of “Weekend Edition” which premiered on Channel 7 in May 1978.

Chicago Sun-Times File Photo

He was kind, thoughtful and his impact in journalism will be everlasting.

Bob Petty spent more than three decades in front of a camera delivering the news to Chicagoans as one of the first black anchormen at ABC 7 Chicago/WLS-TV. He was compassionate with his deliveries and loved by many.

“We moved to Chicago in 1972 from Arizona and made Hyde Park our home,” said Petty’s son, Robert Petty III. “We would hear people shouting ‘Hey Bob!” or ‘Hi Mr. Petty!’ and with his fast, long strides he would walk up to them to talk with them.”

Chicago lost a broadcasting legend Tuesday morning when Petty died after an extended bout with lung cancer. He was 79.

“He was a pioneer that opened the doors for a great amount of minorities in the journalism business,” his son said. “He didn’t fear putting himself in front of crowds or out in the public eye.”

“He also wasn’t afraid to hold power to account.”

Petty got his start in journalism at Arizona State University’s broadcast station KAET TV, where he learned the intricacies of camera operation, sound design and video editing, according to The HistoryMakers. In 1970, he graduated from the university with high honors.

In 1971, his career in broadcast journalism kicked off at ABC7 as a general assignment reporter — he was one of ABC7’s first black reporters. By 1975 he became a member of the station’s “Action 7” news team, according to The HistoryMakers.

Petty would move to the channel’s “Saturday Weekend News,” and from 1978 to 1983, he produced and hosted a show called “Weekend Edition,” which was considered an innovative 90-minute program.

“He’s an example that it doesn’t matter where you come from, but it’s about what you put your mind to,” his son said.

He retired in 2002 after working at ABC7 for 31 years. His storied career awarded him many accolades.

In 2003, Petty was presented with the Silver Circle Award from the Chicago-Midwest chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Science for his contributions in journalism. He was inducted into the Cronkite Hall of Fame in 2007.

“Bob Petty was an outstanding journalist, giving voice to thousands of important Chicago stories during his 31-year career at ABC 7,” said Jennifer Graves, vice president of news at ABC 7 Chicago. “He handled both anchor and reporting duties with poise, professionalism and grace and paved the way as one of the first full-time African-American anchormen in Chicago.”

Petty is survived by his son, wife of 56 years Cora and his daughter, Cory. Funeral proceedings are still being planned.

Manny Ramos is a corps member in Report for America, a not-for-profit journalism program that aims to bolster Sun-Times coverage of issues affecting Chicago’s South and West sides.

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