WFAA Legend Bert Shipp Dies

By Kevin Eck 

Bert Shipp first became known to WFAA viewers when he reported live on the death of president John F. Kennedy in 1963.

Shipp died Monday night. He was 85.

WFAA reports, while at the Dallas ABC affiliate, the former assignment editor and photographer was known for his unique approach.

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For 38 years, Bert Shipp was the backbone of News 8. He had his own language.

“Bert, being the unique character he was, would call all the males ‘hosses’ and he would call the females on the staff ‘fillies,'” said former WFAA reporter Brad Watson. “That was just an affectionate term and everybody took it.”

Bert had his own way of getting the best out of everyone. Good reporters would get a star next to their name on the assignment board.

“If you could get a star from Bert Shipp, that meant you did a good job,” said John Gudjohnsen, former News 8 photographer.

Bert earned his accolades covering the Kennedy assassination. After confirming the President’s death at Parkland, he then commandeered a car to get himself and his rolls of film back downtown.

“He jumped in and said ‘We’re going to Channel 8,’ and the guy said, ‘I ain’t going to Channel 8,’ and (Bert) says, ‘Oh yeah you are!'” recalled John Sparks, a former News 8 producer.

Back in the studio Shipp described what he’d seen on live television.

Shipp’s son is WFAA investigative reporter Brett Shipp.

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