‘Valley’s Anchor’ embodied professionalism and trust

Fairness, objectivity and community commitment stand out as hallmark traits of Bob Black throughout his stellar four-decade career in broadcast journalism in the Mahoning and Shenango valleys.

Hundreds of thousands of residents of the region counted on Black, affectionately yet accurately known as “The Valley’s Anchor,” as a pleasant and trustworthy messenger in their homes to keep them abreast of compelling news that touched their lives.

Black died unexpectedly of natural causes Wednesday night at age 68 in Grove City Medical Center. News of his death opened a floodgate of heart-felt tributes from those in his inner circle and those whose relationship with him was limited to his charismatic and engaging on-air persona.

We join legions in mourning his passing and in honoring his remarkable life of public service.

Bob Black’s passion for broadcasting stretched far back into his teen years growing up in Grove City, Pa., where he honed his skills as an announcer on WEDA Radio. After graduating from Penn State University, Black spent nine years teaching in a junior high classroom, until the broadcasting bug bit him again. That passion landed him a seat on the set of WKBN-TV news before he moved to 21 WFMJ-TV in 1997.

There he would remain firmly in place in the anchor chair for the next 18 years, serving his devoted audiences nightly with clarity, accuracy, and warmth. Along the way, he would stack up numerous awards that rightly recognized his professional flair.

PALL OVER NEWSROOM

His death cast a pall over the news operations of our broadcast partner. “Our newsroom has lost a colleague, a mentor and, most importantly, a friend,” said Mona Alexander, news director at the locally-owned Youngstown-based TV station.

“Bob informed and enlightened his viewers and held the powerful accountable,” she said, adding “he practiced journalism at its best and highest levels.”

Jack Grdic, general manager of the station, singled Bob out for his talent and good-natured demeanor. “He became No. 1 [in ratings] very quickly, and he was the top rated local anchor for practically all of his career,” said Grdic.

Mark Brown, vice president of WFMJ Television Inc. and general manager of The Vindicator, recognized Black as a consummate professional. “Bob was what you expect a journalist to be – thorough, accurate, precise, driven, fair and objective in his approach. But he was also fun and caring, a genuinely good person, which made him a perfect fit with a family-owned station life WFMJ.”

The greatest sense of loss, however, may well be felt among his legions of followers over the decades, for whom Black served exceedingly well but ever so modestly.

In his farewell speech during his final regular newscast of Nov. 30, 2015, Black said, “It has been my honor and privilege to have viewers invite me into their homes” nightly for so many years.

In reality, the honor and privilege belonged to all who steadfastly leaned on him as a sturdy, reliable and trusted anchor of information in their homes day in, day out.

As such, Black will be sadly missed but fondly remembered for many years.