Thompson retiring
Pittsburgh:WPXI (11) morning news reporter Dee Thompson will retire from the station September 1. Thompson has been out on medical leave over the summer, but there's no word on whether that is the reason for his retirement. According to the Post-Gazette, he was hired by the station (then WIIC) in February 1975 and spent the first twelve years doing sports with Sam Nover. Over the last several years he has worked overnights - arriving at midnight and working through the morning newscasts.
There still isn't any word on what Thompson's ailment has been but apparently he is gradually feeling better.
Readers’ Forum
I wonder who will take over the crappiest beat in local broadcast news
http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-95327436..
sirfuller (URL) - August 19, 2009 at 11:11 pm
While working as a morning reporter for KDKA Radio and TV, I often ran into Dee while covering stories, and he was one of the best. We all scrambled for exclusive bits of information, no matter how short that “exclusivity” would be. But, if you rolled up at a scene after Dee, he was always willing to share basic facts with you and point you in the right direction. Those of us who appreciated Dee’s professionalism and fairness did the same for him if we got there first, but that wasn’t often. I hope he enjoys a long healthy retirement. He deserves it.
Dave James - August 20, 2009 at 06:16 am
I wish Dee a long & healthy retirement. I never got a chance to meet him, but I enjoyed his work on TV. I use to cover news in Northern Washington County when I worked at WJPA Radio & if I was the first on the scene, I’d get all the info & whenever the scribes got here, I’d tell them info I had before I had to go & file my report. It was the post from Dave James that reminded me of that.
JJ PETRUS - August 20, 2009 at 11:11 am
Dee has seemingly been on Pittsburgh TV forever. He was with WTAE (Channel 4) prior to his association with Channel 11.
Rick - August 20, 2009 at 6:56 pm
Godspeed Dee!
Thank you for all the great years of TV Sports and News from Channel 4 around the start of the Action News-era working alongside of Ed Conway to Channel 11 when the WIIC call letters were still present in which the station featured the likes of Adam Lynch and Ray Tannehill. Super Bowls, Stanley Cups, World Series trophies abound as well as a Heisman-winner in the form of Tony Dorsett who led Pitt to national championship glory in 1976; its been a great run.
Thank You Dee
Chuck - August 20, 2009 at 6:58 pm
Dee is not just the consummate professional you folks mentioned above, but alsosomeone with amazing longevity in the market. I first met him in the 60’s,and had the pleasure of working with him in the early 70’s at WTAE. Good reporter. Positive attitude. Good contacts. He got the job done.
Frank Gottlieb - August 20, 2009 at 9:46 pm
Gee…it seems like Dee Thompson has been around forever..and I guess he has, almost!! His longevity in such a fickle field is certainly amazing.
I wish him a speedy recovery and a very happy retirement!!
Bruce - August 21, 2009 at 05:59 am