Thaindian News

The grand old man of American news anchoring, Walter Cronkite was bidden a poignant farewell yesterday, July 23rd, when close family and friends along with a host of celebrity glitterati had gathered for the final send-off.

St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal church in mid-town Manhattan, New York, was the venue for the service, which saw the legendary newsman remembered more for his off-screen persona than that on it. Those who knew the man behind the television image, remembered him as a warm friend and a spirited sailor and the kind of person who never shied away from displaying emotion. Those attending, seemed to remember him more for the man that he was, rather than for his trailblazing career that created television and newscasting history on more than one occasion.

An American institution in himself, 92 year-old Cronkite’s service in the St. Bartholomew church was significant for a variety of personal reasons. In the 1960’s, it was this very church that Walter and Betsy Cronkite used to bring their children Chip, Nancy and Kathy to, where they attended Sunday school. Following the death of his beloved wife Betsy, in 2005, the funeral service was held in the very same place.

The host of luminaries gathered to bid adieu to the journalistic icon included Tom Brokaw, Andy Rooney, Dan Rather, Morley Safer, Connie Chung, Bob Schieffer, Diane Sawyer, Brian Williams, Barbara Walters, Charles Gibson, Matt Lauer and Meredith Viera.

Reportedly, Cronkite is to be buried in Kansas City, next to where his wife Betsy has been laid to rest. A public memorial service is scheduled to be held in Lincoln Center’s Avery Fischer Hall shortly.