Bob Schieffer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bob Schieffer
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Schieffer in 2019
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| Born |
Bob Lloyd Schieffer
February 25, 1937 Austin, Texas, U.S.
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| Education | Texas Christian University |
| Occupation | Journalist, anchor |
| Years active | 1963–present |
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Notable credit(s)
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| Title | Chief Washington Correspondent; Anchor, Face the Nation |
| Spouse(s) |
Patricia Penrose
(m. 1967) |
| Children | 2 |
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Bob Lloyd Schieffer (born February 25, 1937) is a famous American television journalist. He is well-known for leading important presidential debates, where he was praised for his skill. Bob Schieffer is one of the few journalists who has reported from all four major government places in Washington, D.C.: the White House, the Pentagon (defense headquarters), the United States Department of State (foreign affairs), and the United States Congress (where laws are made).
Most of his career with CBS News has focused on national politics. He has interviewed every United States President since Richard Nixon, and many others who wanted to be president.
Schieffer worked for CBS News from 1969 until 2015. He was the anchor for the Saturday CBS Evening News for 20 years (1976-1996). He was also the Chief Washington Correspondent from 1982 to 2015. From 1991 to 2015, he was the host of Face the Nation, a Sunday show about current events. For a while, from 2005 to 2006, Schieffer was also the main anchor for the weekday CBS Evening News.
After he retired from Face the Nation, Schieffer continued to work for CBS. He appeared on TV often to share his thoughts on politics, especially during the 2016 presidential election. He also started a new podcast called "Bob Schieffer's 'About the News'."
Schieffer has written several books about his time as a journalist. These include Face the Nation, This Just In, and Bob Schieffer's America. He also co-wrote a book about Ronald Reagan called The Acting President.
He has won many awards for his work in journalism, including eight Emmy Awards. He was honored by the Library of Congress as a "living legend" in 2008.
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Who is Bob Schieffer?
Bob Schieffer was born on February 25, 1937, in Austin, Texas. He grew up in Fort Worth, Texas. He went to North Side High School. In 1959, he earned a degree in journalism and English from Texas Christian University (TCU). While at TCU, he was part of the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps. In 2013, TCU renamed its College of Communication in his honor.
How Did Bob Schieffer Start His Career?
After college, Schieffer served in the United States Air Force for three years. He worked as a public information officer. After leaving the Air Force, he became a reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram newspaper. One of his first big assignments was traveling to Vietnam to write about soldiers from Fort Worth. He was the first reporter from a Texas newspaper to report from Vietnam.
His first major recognition as a journalist came on November 22, 1963. This was the day President John F. Kennedy was shot in Dallas, Texas. Schieffer was at the Star-Telegram office when he got a call from a woman needing a ride to Dallas. It was Marguerite Oswald, the mother of Lee Harvey Oswald, who was suspected of the assassination. Schieffer went with her to the Dallas police station. He spent hours there, using the phone to send updates from other reporters to his newspaper. This helped the Star-Telegram print four special editions on the day of the assassination. Later, Schieffer worked for the Star-Telegram's TV station, WBAP-TV, before joining CBS in 1969.
Bob Schieffer's Time at CBS News
Schieffer had many important roles at CBS. He was an anchor for the CBS Sunday Night News from 1973 to 1974. He also anchored the Saturday Evening News for twenty years, from 1976 to 1996. From 1979 to 1980, he hosted the weekday CBS morning show.
One of his most famous jobs was hosting Face the Nation. He led this Sunday public affairs show from 1991 until May 31, 2015.
Schieffer was also known for his reporting. From 1970 to 1974, he reported from the Pentagon. From 1974 to 1979, he was the White House correspondent for CBS. In 1982, he became the Chief Washington Correspondent.
After Dan Rather retired, Schieffer became the temporary anchor for the weekday CBS Evening News. He started this job on March 10, 2005. Under Schieffer, the CBS Evening News gained more viewers. He made his last CBS Evening News broadcast on August 31, 2006. He was replaced by Katie Couric. Schieffer continued to provide segments for the evening news as chief Washington correspondent. He also filled in for Couric and Scott Pelley when they were anchors.
Schieffer also moderated three important presidential debates:
- In 2004, between George W. Bush and John Kerry.
- In 2008, between Barack Obama and John McCain.
- In 2012, between President Obama and Mitt Romney.
In 2013, Schieffer won the National Association of Broadcasters Distinguished Service Award. He also received the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism.
When Did Bob Schieffer Retire?
On April 8, 2015, Schieffer announced he would retire as the host of Face the Nation. He made this announcement at his old university, Texas Christian University. He retired after working in journalism for 52 years, with 46 of those years at CBS. On April 12, he announced that John Dickerson would take over as host in June 2015.
Schieffer's final broadcast as moderator of Face the Nation was on May 31, 2015.
Bob Schieffer's Other Interests
Since leaving the main anchor desk at CBS Evening News in 2006, Schieffer has explored his interest in songwriting. He has worked with musicians in New York and Washington, D.C. He has written lyrics for songs and even sings one called "TV Anchorman" on a CD with the band Honky Tonk Confidential.
Bob Schieffer's Family Life
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Bob Schieffer married Patricia Penrose in 1967. They have two daughters and three granddaughters.
Bob's older brother is Tom Schieffer. Tom was a state legislator in Texas and a friend of President George W. Bush. He served as the U.S. Ambassador to Australia and later to Japan.
Bob also has a sister, Sharon Schieffer Mayes. She was a teacher and school administrator. She taught science for 17 years and later became a high school principal.
Bob Schieffer has managed his health with care. He overcame a serious illness in 2003 and has been well since 2004. He also manages type 2 diabetes.
Career Timeline
- 1973–1974: CBS Sunday Night News anchor
- 1973–1996: 60 Minutes contributor
- 1973–2005: CBS Evening News anchor (summer and weekend editions)
- 1982–2015: CBS News Chief Washington correspondent
- May 1991 – May 31, 2015: Face the Nation moderator
- March 10, 2005 – August 31, 2006: CBS Evening News anchor
- 2016–present: CBS News contributor
See also
- New Yorkers in journalism
