End of an era! Bob Schieffer announced on Wednesday, April 8, that he is planning to retire.
The Face the Nation anchor, 78, will hang up his hat this summer after decades on the air. Schieffer made the announcement at his alma mater Texas Christian University, where the communications college is named after him.
Speaking during the 11th annual Schieffer Symposium, the veteran newsman told the crowd, "Because this is where my professional career began, this is where I wanted all of you to be the first to know: This summer I am going to retire."
The award-winning journalist started his prolific career in Texas after graduating from TCU and serving in the United States Air Force, going on to spend more than 50 years in the industry. A longtime CBS employee, Schieffer has served as a White House correspondent, Evening News anchor, The Early Show and This Morning correspondent, and finally, Face the Nation moderator for the network.
"I’m one of the luckiest people in the world because as a little boy, as a young reporter, I always wanted to be a journalist, and I got to do that," Schieffer said on Wednesday. "And not many people get to do that, and I couldn't have asked for a better life or something that was more fun and more fulfilling."
The Emmy winner, who has been married to his love Patricia Penrose since 1967, is the father of two daughters. He was celebrated after the announcement as a "legend," "true gentleman," and a "great journalist."
