Walter Cronkite, the television newsman whose presence guided, informed and re assured America during its turbulent times in the 60’s and 70’s, took his last breathe on Friday at his home in New York after a prolonged battle with illness.

Cronkite was still regarded as “the most trusted man of America” years after leaving his CBS anchor chair. The death of the newsman was confirmed by the CBS Vice President, Linda Mason.

As an anchor and managing editor of the “CBS Evening News” from 1962 to 1981, Cronkite’s sheer brilliance and disciplined stewardship helped television news come of age. Cronkite was arguably the most respected and recognized media person of that era, who dealt the tumultuous condition that America was going through with ease.
“Walter was truly the father of television news,” Morly Safer, a correspondent of CBS’ “60 minutes”, declared in a statement. “The trust that viewers placed on him was due to the recognition of his fairness, honesty and strict objectivity,” she added.

For two decades America witnessed a man known for his integrity and fairness, guiding them through the once turbulent nation. Although Cronkite rarely displayed emotions on camera but still some moments of his have been captured into the nations collective consciousness. These includes - Cronkite tearing up while announcing the assassination of John. F. Kennedy, decrying the “thugs” at the 1968 Democratic presidential convention or exclaiming “Go baby, go” during the Apollo 11 launch for the moon 40 years back.

The sad demise of the anchor who redefined America marks the end of an era. “The most trusted man of America” is no more.