Longtime KOIN anchor Mike Donahue has died, his family confirmed. He was 77. He died following a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer.
Donahue’s career at the Portland, Ore., CBS affiliate spanned 44 years. He signed off in 2012 after he announced his retirement on a noon newscast.
In its tribute to Donahue, KOIN said “one of the most memorable stories of his career was the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens.”
“What I’ll never forget is we all packed into a Chinook helicopter when Jimmy Carter came to see devastation and we followed him,” Donahue said. “And he called it a ‘moonscape’ … nothing was there, Everything was covered in gray.”
KOIN general manager Tom Keeler shared a statement on Donahue’s passing:
“The entire KOIN 6 family mourns the loss of our former anchor and friend, Mike Donahue. Mike was an amazing storyteller who captured the essence of Portland in every broadcast. We are honored to have had Mike front and center here at KOIN for 44 years and are so thankful for the impact he had on everyone with whom he touched. Our deepest condolences go out to his loving family and friends.”