Dennis Richmond tearfully signs off

Retiring KTVU newsman Dennis Richmond, the iron man of Bay Area anchors, bid an emotional farewell to his many viewers Wednesday night, ending an illustrious 40-year career that saw him rise from office clerk to local icon.

"You've invited me into your home for so many years that I feel like I'm part of your family and leaving that family is not the easiest thing to do," Richmond told the Channel 2 audience during his final sign-off of the KTVU 10 p.m. newscast.

A large chunk of the newscast was devoted to Richmond's lengthy tenure at Channel 2, which began in the spring of 1968. By the following year, he was a full-time reporter. In 1976, he was promoted to anchor on "The Ten O'Clock News."

With a a calm, no-nonsense demeanor

and a rich baritone delivery, Richmond quickly became one of the Bay Area's most trusted and respected TV news personalities. He regularly was named the market's most popular anchor in various viewer polls and KTVU's late-night newscast was a perennial ratings leader.

"This is a bittersweet night for us," Richmond's co-anchor Julie Haener said near the top of the hour, which included vintage clips of Richmond's early days at KTVU and pre-taped well-wishes from the likes of Carlos Santana and John Madden.

When Richmond arrived for his final day at KTVU, his newsroom co-workers greeted him with an impromptu standing ovation, as well as some hugs and kisses.

"He has had such an impact on the culture around here," KTVU news director

Ed Chapuis said. "He's leaving, but his stamp will still be all over this place."

During a pre-taped segment focusing on how Richmond will spend his retirement in Grass Valley, he said, "It's time for me to move on and let someone else sit in that chair."

That someone will be Frank Somerville, who takes over as co-anchor on KTVU's 6 and 10 p.m. newscasts tonight.

After co-anchoring the 6 p.m. newscast, Richmond settled in for the 10 p.m. program, alongside Haener, as well as weatherman Bill Martin and sportscaster Mark Ibanez, all of whom reflected on their time with Richmond.

Martin likened Richmond to "the head of the family" who constantly led by example. Ibanez said, "I always wanted to live up to your expectations."

Finally, Haener said "the moment we've been dreading" has arrived as she gave way to Richmond's sign-off.

Earlier in the week, Richmond had talked of how difficult it would be to get through his farewell moments without choking up. But true to his steady approach, he did just fine until the very end, when he reached for a tissue and dabbed his eyes.

"I will truly miss speaking to you twice a day, Monday through Friday, from this set," he said. " ... It's been truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience that happily for me lasted 40 years. For the last time, it's with great joy and great sadness that I say good night and good-bye."