Viewers and broadcasters alike in Chattanooga, Tenn., are mourning the loss of longtime anchor Bob Johnson, a man who embodied WTVC for decades.
Johnson, a fixture in the Chattanooga broadcast scene, died Monday night after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was 73.
Johnson worked at the Sinclair-owned station from the mid-’70s until 2007, alongside co-anchors Don Welch, Darrell Patterson and MaryEllen Locher. In the ’70s and ’80s, Johnson developed a number of segments, including Wednesday’s Child. He was inducted into the Tennessee Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2014.
His former colleagues shared stories on social media this week after learning of his death.
“A true legend. And a wonderful friend,” wrote meteorologist Bill Race. “I loved Bob Johnson. Am very saddened by this news. He was part of our life.”
A true legend. And a wonderful friend. I loved Bob Johnson. Am very saddened by this news. He was part of our life.
Bob Johnson, longtime WTVC anchor, colleague and friend, passes away https://t.co/ovKruYtWHi
— Bill Race (@StormTrack9Bill) July 14, 2020