R.I.P.: Dick Johnson, WMAQ-TV5 Anchor, Reporter

Dick Johnson

The venerable Chicago newsman and WMAQ-Ch. 5 anchor and reporter Dick Johnson died Tuesday, the NBC station said in an afternoon broadcast.

WMAQ-Ch. 5 co-anchor Marion Brooks tearfully announced Johnson’s death at the start of the 4 p.m. newscast.

“He had every intention of returning to work," Brooks said. "Dick loved his job. He loved telling stories. He loved his co-workers. And most of all, he loved his family.”

In recent days, Johnson, 66, was being treated at a Michigan hospital for complications related to a respiratory condition, his family told the station. His death was not related to the coronavirus.

“He leaves behind his wife and three grown children, as well as his newsroom family and so many in the journalism field who have learned from him,” the station reported.

Frank Whittaker, the station manager and vice president of news, said Johnson loved being on the front lines of the big story.

“He always wanted to be part of the big story,” Whittaker said. “He was an old-school newsman. He loved the chase. He loved hunting down exclusives. He loved to write — he was an incredibly gifted writer. And he could do that on deadline, which in television was very appreciated.”


Johnson will also be remembered as a dear friend to many in the newsroom, Whittaker said.

“I can’t tell you how many people just this afternoon have said how Dick was the first one to welcome them to NBC 5 news when they first started,” Whittaker said. “He was proud to work here, and he wanted to make people feel welcome on the team.”

Johnson’s career at NBC 5 as an anchor and reporter kicked off in 2002. He last co-anchored the station’s weekend evening newscast. He previously worked for two decades at WLS-Ch. 7. Throughout his career, he was the recipient of prestigious awards including the duPont-Columbia Award and Peabody Award.