Longtime Kansas City newsman Wendall Anschutz has lost his battle with throat cancer.
Anschutz, 71, died at 3:45 a.m. Thursday at the University of Kansas Medical Center.
There will be a visitation and memorial service from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday at McGilley Chapel, 12301 State Line Road in Kansas City, Mo. On Monday a mass will be held at 10 a.m. at Mass at Cure of Ars, 9405 Mission Road. There will be a private burial following the mass.
One of the most well-liked and respected members of the local media, Anschutz spent 35 years in Kansas City television. Most of his time was spent as an anchor at KCTV5. He started in 1966 and retired in 2001.
Anschutz began his career as a reporter and spent 11 years working his way into the news anchor's chair. He and Anne Peterson paired up in July 1979 to form one of the city's most durable co-anchor teams.
For 15 years, Peterson and Anschutz were KCTV5's premier news team and Kansas City's top-rated anchor duo. That run ended in November 1994.
A native of Russell, Kan., Anschutz graduated from the University of Kansas with a bachelor's degree in speech and drama and a master's degree in communications. He served in the Navy for three and a half years as an operations officer aboard the U.S.S. Hornet.
During his time in broadcasting, Anschutz won numerous local, regional and national awards. He also served on several boards of directors.
Anschutz had a stroke in 1989. After that he channeled his creative energy into painting and his works were sold in local galleries.
Anschutz recently had two cancer surgeries at the University of Kansas Medical Center.
Anschutz is survived by his wife, Nita, his son, Curtis, his daughter, Sirena, and his grandson.
A special 30-minute tribute to Anschutz will air at 1 p.m. Sunday on My-KSMO cable channel 10 and will feature Anne Peterson and the Kansas City Star's Aaron Barhart.
Share your memories and thoughts about Wendall on the KCTV5 Facebook page, post something in our forums section or e-mail responses to the KCTV5 news desk.
