Dee Thompson retires from WPXI

Channel 11 morning news reporter Dee Thompson, who's been out on medical leave for much of the summer, will retire from WPXI effective Sept. 1.

Thompson isn't likely to be back on the air again before retirement -- he's still out on medical leave -- but the station plans to celebrate his years of service in early October. WPXI news director Corrie Harding issued this note to the staff:

It is with very mixed emotions I announce the retirement of Dee Thompson.  Dee was hired by WPXI on February 1, 1975.  34 ½ years later, he's easily one of the most recognizable faces on our station.  

Dee's always been one of the good guys.  He started his career here in sports, working with Sam Nover and he hosted the shows "The 5th Quarter" and  "Steeler Huddle."  That meant that Dee was in the locker room for those late 70's runs to Super Bowl, and in fact, there is a great picture of him interviewing Terry Bradshaw after one of those wins.  That picture really illustrates something that's always impressed me about Dee.  Both he, and Terry are laughing, having a good old chat.  Dee is truly a master at getting people to feel comfortable with him, and getting them to talk.  

Sports only covered the first 12 years at WPXI for Dee. He moved on to contribute to the news product in so many ways.  In his station biography, Dee said he feels the most memorable stories he's worked on are the search for Roberto Clemente, and interviewing presidential candidates (along with all those Super Bowls!). 

For the last several years, Dee's been a constant presence on our morning newscasts. At work at midnight, covering all kinds of fires, weather events, and big, big news stories. One of my clearest memories of Dee was the level headed way he reported the shooting death of a Pennyslvania State Trooper several years ago. You always knew you were going to get it ‘straight' from Dee.

That morning presence is something I, and most Pittsburghers, will not forget. There's I always get asked "Why do you do that to poor Dee?" 

I can tell you, Dee does it, because he loves being a part of it. His long time photographer Pat O'Keefe will tell you that, as will the others who've worked with him on the overnight shift. He's a pro, and he'll be missed.  

Dee's official retirement is September 1^st. He's still getting better though from some recent health challenges, so won't be back in an official capacity, but I'm working with Dee to make sure we can give him a proper send off during the first week of October. 

Please join me in wishing Dee a happy and fulfilled retirement. He deserves it.

If Thompson is willing to chat for an interview, I hope to do a column on his years on Pittsburgh TV in the coming weeks.