Readers reflect on Dennis Richmond

I am a retired Police Lieutenant from Union City. I want to wish Dennis and his family my congratulations on a very successful career and to wish him all the best in retirement.

Having been in a law enforcement career for 37 years, I dealt with quite a number of peope from print and broadcast journalism. I must say Dennis was the most professional newsperson I ever dealt with. He always treated me fairly and never sold me out for a cheap spin on a story. I was always happy to have him covering an event. I have moved to Nevada, but I still follow Dennis on our channel 11 Fox network. He will be missed.

— Mike Shelton, Sparks, Nevada

As teenagers, my sister, Ava, and I use to work

as cashiers at a little grocery/liquor mart on Oakland Avenue called New Rex Liquors. Dennis Richmond used to stop in after his work day to purchase an item or two and we used to go all giddy at how handsome he was!

— Gwen Dupre, San Francisco

Two words: THE BEST. Dennis was the Willie Mays of broadcast news. Like having a friend in your living room every night. Best of luck to you Dennis. We will miss you!

— John Santos and family

Dennis was the first Bay Area TV personality I ever encountered when I first came to San Francisco 30 years ago. It was the night of the White Night riots, and the whole city was in an uproar. I remember turning on the TV in my hotel room to find

out what was going on, and coming across Dennis, who had a huge Afro in those days, describing the scene. We moved down here shortly afterwards, and Dennis has been sort of a fixture in our household TV watching ever since. We'll miss his serene presence. Enjoy your retirement, big guy!

— Malcolm Carden, Piedmont

Mr. Richmond: Thank you for your public service and congratulations on your retirement. I grew up in San Mateo and now reside in Gatlinburg, TN. Dennis and Channel 2 News are an orginal news station that I have and continue to enjoy to watch when visiting San Mateo.

— Marie, Gatlinburg, TN

I remember the day about 10 years ago when Dennis Richmond walked into the place where I worked. It was my job to greet people, so as they came in the door, I immediately went up to the counter and said "Hi, Dennis!" Then I realized that I didn't actually know him at all, even though he shared my family room during TV news time. Needless to say, I was embarrassed!

— Judy Leonard, Ladera Ranch

I can remember watching Dennis Richmond when I was 5 years old, along with Elaine Corral. I am now 37 and had watched him until last year when I moved to Georgia. I check the local news out there almost every day and that's how I heard about his retirement. Best of luck to him in the future. He'll be missed, especially when I move back to California and can't watch him.

— Lisa M. Sisk

Wow, I hate to think of Dennis Richmond retiring. I'm 43 now, so I guess we pretty much grew up together. Though I can't say that I've ever been an avid news watcher, it was always comforting to tune into KTVU, see Dennis Richmond and hear his comforting voice. I hated to see Elaine Corral go and I really, really hate to see Dennis Richmond go. I guess that we're all getting older — man that blows!

— Eva Emmert

Born and raised in Oakland, I began watching the channel 2 news in about 1969 when I was in the 7th grade. My parents watched nightly, so my introduction to the evening news began then. Through the ensuing years, watching the same newscaster night after night, you feel like he's a friend, someone you trust and believe in. Dennis' delivery of the news — solid and unwavering — is something I will surely miss! But best wishes are extended to him for a long, happy retirement!

— Rita Gordon, San Lorenzo

Dennis: Thank you for bringing us together as family each night and sharing the day's events with your warm welcoming smile. We'll miss you so much and frankly I know the person coming in to take the role you leave behind has big shoes to fill. You were always were so great in your delivery each night. Your wisdom shown in the words in which you spoke. We want to thank your T.V family and personal family as well for sharing you with us. Take care, friend!

— The Couto Family

I live in North Oakland and have been in the Bay Area for only about four years. During that time, though, Dennis has been the voice of reason on the news for me. My boyfriend and I tape the news each night if we can't watch it, and usually will play it the following morning during breakfast. Dennis is full of character and has a great presence. We would look forward to his delivery, his reporting and sharing of experiences on the air.

— Jessica Palmer

Hearing of Mr. Richmond's impending retirement, I feel as I did last year when my most beloved boss announced his retirement. I am happy for him as he can have nothing but pride in himself for a job exceedingly well done and must be looking forward to the freedom that comes with retirement. But conversely, I'm so sad for me, a devoted watcher. There are only a few journalists I've ever trusted — and he is definitely one. He is always totally professional and maintains a neutral face while still injecting caring and feeling when doing so is appropriate. I have never felt that he's is simply "reading the news," but that he's reporting it.

— Susan Brown, Martinez

It will be hard to look at the news with Dennis gone. We have watched him for the past 30 years. The 10:00 o'clock news will not be the same. Dennis, we wish you the best!

— Pat Want, Alameda

During the 1980s I worked at California State University, Hayward. One of the secretaries used to date Dennis and considered him quite the ladies man, as evidenced by her (their) reference to a relationship cut short by "the overwhelming competition." She quipped that Dennis had lots of "Mrs. candidates" wanting him to be their "post Bachelor study project."

— John Wilson

Ironically, my first "introduction" to Dennis Richmond was by airwave shortly after the Patty Hearst kidnapping when I was employed with a federal agency. Dennis stuck with the facts as they had been released. He never veered toward speculation. Several years later I had the privilege of meeting (and working with) Dennis when I was involved with fundraising during the MDA Telethons. He was very amicable—and when off-camera, that calm, stable persona continued—even twenty-two hours after the start of the promotion. I don't like refering to him in past tense, and as much as I am going to miss him as a news anchor, I am glad to learn that he is not going to be "job-hopping" to other stations. Dennis will leave his stamp upon the Bay Area. It is well-deserved, and it will remain.

— Barbara Yencho, Martinez

My wife and I witnessed Mr. Richmond's character in a brief encounter at restaurant in Jack London Square a few years ago. On a quiet weekday afternoon we had taken my elderly godmother out to lunch. As we were finishing our meal very late in the lunch hour, I saw my godmother's attention quickly shift to another table across the room. There Mr. Richmond sat alone quietly eating his lunch and reviewing some paperwork. I learned this was his custom on most afternoons before his show. Our first reaction was not to bother him. However, as he was my godmother's "favorite" for so long, she just had to say a quick hello. She cautiously went up to his table just to thank him for such an "intelligent news show" that he brought into her home every night for so many years. She kept up with every aspect of local and world affairs until her death last year at the age of 93.

As we stood back and let them talk, we could see that he was being so gracious and kind to her — and eagerly engaged her in conversation for quite some time. She was thrilled to finally meet him, but also felt a little guilty for interrupting his lunch. Thank you Mr. Richmond for your kindness and good example to us all that afternoon.

— Bill Mitchell, Belmont

Back in 1980 I was in the Army stationed at the Alameda Naval Air Station. The first night I arrived I turned on the Channel 2 news and have been watching you each and every night until the end. Dennis enjoy life and your family.

-- Jill Allen, Alameda

I want to wish Dennis Richmond many, many blessings as he ends his 40-year run on the Channel 2 news. I am 46-years- old and remember seeing him on the air when I was younger and having a little crush on him. I wish him and his wife well. God bess you, Dennis, and thanks for 40 years!

-- Andrika Smith

My sister and I were in an African dance class at the Tassaforanga Recreation Center on 85th Avenue in East Oakland back in 1968 or 1969. Our class was asked to give a dance recital for a group of people at His Lordships restaurant in Berkeley. Dennis Richmond was the reporter that KTVU sent to cover our recital. My sister and I got to watch ourselves on the news that night and we got free ice cream courtesy of His Lordships. It was a great day.

-- Vicki Kirk, Martinez

I'm now retired and live in Las Vegas, but during my working years we lived in Concord and Dennis Richmond became an icon in our household as we watched "The Ten o'Clock news" every night, for twenty seven years. ... I wish him the best of luck on his retirement and I will miss him when I visit my kids, who still live in the Bay Area.

-- Mike C. Hokson