At the same time the Covid-19 pandemic shut down the country, longtime NBC 5 Chicago anchorman Dick Johnson got sick.
Johnson, who was 66, had a respiratory condition and was hospitalized two days ago. He died Tuesday.
The anchorman most recently anchored the 10 p.m. show for the NBC station. Before that, he worked at the ABC station in the market. His career spanned 40 years on-air.
News of Johnson’s death spread quickly on Twitter.
“NBC 5’s Dick Johnson was the best kind of newsman. Smart, thorough, nimble when deadlines were crashing around him. No clichés. Just facts, fairness and great writing. And he was funny! What a loss to all who knew him. But especially to his loving family,” tweeted political reporter Carol Marin.
Johnson leaves behind his wife and three children.