Randy's Journal: Archives
08 August 2005
Goodnight, Peter
When I last wrote about ABC News anchor Peter Jennings back in April, we were all hopeful that he would win his battle with lung cancer. Sadly, it was not to be.
Jennings died last night at his home in New York. He was only 67 years old.
Peter Jennings visited Seattle in February during, I believe, his last on-the-road week of broadcasts. I had the pleasure, along with Carolyn Corvi, our Vice President of Airplane production, to chat with Peter and tour our 737 final assembly building in Renton together.
Carolyn and I, meeting Peter Jennings outside the Renton plant on a bright, sunny day in February.
I read that Peter was known as a stickler for details. And that showed during his visit to Renton. This was a guy who'd been all around the world and had covered every major news story over a period of five decades. And you'd think someone with that kind of life would be a bit jaded. But when we met him he seemed just as absorbed and insatiably curious as if it was his very first assignment.
In the plant, he didn't just stand back and let a producer or cameraman do the work. Peter asked a ton of questions and stuck his head inside the airplanes being assembled to get a first-hand look.
Now, as I've mentioned before, I had my own fight with cancer. It's not easy, and I was fortunate. As ABC News President David Westin said of Peter today: "He knew that it was an uphill struggle. But he faced it with realism, courage, and a firm hope that he would be one of the fortunate ones. In the end, he was not."
And now, I send my thoughts and prayers to Peter's family, friends and colleagues. I'm sure glad we got to know him, if briefly. I know I'm just one of many who will remember him for a long time to come.