Bob Petty, 79, passed away on February 18, 2020. He was one of the first African American on-air personalities at WLS where he spent more than 30 years as a reporter and news anchor. He started college at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri, but then left school and worked around the country - including in Chicago and Los Angeles - in various jobs, including factory work. Petty eventually returned to school and received a bachelor's degree in 1970 from ASU, where he worked at the university's TV station, KAET-TV. That work helped Petty gain a keen appreciation for those on the other side of the camera. After graduating, he worked as a news and sports reporter at independent station KPHO-TV in Phoenix. In 1971, he joined KOOL-TV in Phoenix as a reporter, news writer and producer. Later in 1971, WLS hired Petty as a reporter with its "Eyewitness News" team. By 1974, Petty had moved up to anchoring weekend evening newscasts, most often on Saturday nights. However, he also continued reporting stories, including a weekly food-related feature each Friday, known as the "Friday Feast." Petty's reporting was not solely lighter fare. His work in the mid-1970s included consumer investigative work as part of a regular feature known as "Action Seven," which aimed to help frustrated consumers cut through red tape. In 1979, Petty began anchoring a weekday morning news summary. He also produced and hosted the public affairs show "Weekend Edition," from 1978 until 1983. Along the way, Petty earned a master's degree in communications in 1979 from Governors State University. Petty retired in 2002. The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences honored Petty with its Silver Circle Award in 2003. He was named to the ASU Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication Hall of Fame in 2007. Petty is survived by his wife, Cora, a daughter, a son and half brother. Services are pending. (Source: ASU Foundation)