Who was Dennis Richmond? All we know about beloved KTVU news anchor as he dies at 81

Dennis Richmond was a chain-breaking news anchor who appeared on the KTVU Channel 2 news for four decades, being one of the very first Black anchors in a major U.S. TV market. Born in 1943, Richmond joined KTVU as a clerk in 1968 and eventually became an anchor in 1976. He worked there until retiring in 2008 at age 65. Richmond grew up in Rossford, Ohio, and served in the Army from 1961 to 1964 with the 82nd Airborne Division. He later earned a scholarship to Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, where he graduated in 1969, as reported by Fox KTVU.

In an interview with SF Gate, when asked to speak about his first show as an anchor, Richmond said:

"I remember the first time I was on air. I was anchoring the morning news show at Channel 2. I was so terrified that beads of sweat were rolling off of me. When the camera came on, the first thing I did was forgot my name. I had to look down at the script."

Richmond was an authoritative voice known for his journalistic integrity throughout his career. Under his leadership, the Ten O’Clock News became the Bay Area’s top-rated nightly newscast—a title the station still holds today. His most notable stories were the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989 and the catastrophic Oakland Hills fire. His commitment to news earned him great respect, and he became one of Bay Area journalism's best-loved figures.

In 2008, The San Francisco Chronicle published an article about him with the headline, 'Dennis Richmond is bigger than Oprah.' His cultural significance was so strong that in 2016, comedy troupe The Lonely Island collaborated with Oakland artist Matt Ritchie to create a limited-edition Bay Area-themed wallpaper. The design featured Richmond alongside notable figures like rappers Too Short and E-40, chef Alice Waters, football Hall of Famer Joe Montana, and political activist Angela Davis.

After retirement, Dennis Richmond settled in Grass Valley, California, where he led a quiet life with his wife, Deborah, in a house overlooking a golf course. He passed away on February 5, 2025, at 81 with his loving companion by his side.

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Tributes pour in for Dennis Richmond

Dennis Richmond's colleague and former co-anchor Julie Haener of KTVU Channel 2 posted a tribute on her Facebook. She wrote:

"Dennis was a mainstay in the Bay Area delivering the news to generations of television viewers throughout his legendary 40 year career at KTVU. I’m honored and filled with gratitude that I had the chance to work by his side for many years on the 6 and 10 O’Clock evening broadcasts... He set the bar high and inspired all of us around him to get better, work hard and be consistent."

Sal Castaneda, another KTVU Fox 2 journalist, took to his X to write:

"When I started at KTVU, it was a true honor to work with Dennis Richmond, the man my family grew up watching. When my dad saw Dennis toss it to me, it was as if I was now a legitimate TV reporter. It was such an honor to be his colleague."

State Senator Jesse Arreguín wrote on his X:

"Like so many people in the Bay Area, I fondly remember growing up watching Dennis Richmond on the news. He set the standard for journalistic excellence and integrity, inspiring generations of journalists. He will be greatly missed but never forgotten."

Congressman Sam Liccardo took to his X:

"Dennis Richmond's calming, confident voice filled our kitchen every evening as my siblings and I prepared the dinner table. Dennis harkens to an age when Americans could agree on a common source of news information, in part because Dennis personified trustworthiness."

Richmond’s legacy remains deeply embedded in Bay Area news history, remembered for his professionalism, trailblazing career, and his impact on generations of journalists and viewers.