Longtime Chicago TV news anchor Dick Johnson dies at 66

Dick Johnson, a longtime Chicago news anchor and reporter at NBC 5, died Tuesday at 66. 

Johnson died from complications of pulmonary fibrosis, according to NBC 5. The death was not related to coronavirus. 

"Dick loved the big story. He loved pursuing breaking news, loved hunting down exclusives, and he loved to write. He was an incredibly gifted writer. He was an incredibly gifted writer," NBC 5's Chicago station manager and vice president of news Frank Whittaker wrote in an email to Paste BN confirming Johnson's death.

"His medical issues had forced him to take some time off. But he was so excited to get back into action soon with all the big stories happening in Chicago. But he was so excited to get back into action soon with all the big stories happening in Chicago," Whittaker continued. "He was a friend and counsel to many in the newsroom. Just a nice guy who loved what he did. We will miss him terribly."

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Johnson co-anchored NBC's weekend evening newscasts and reported for the weekday 10 p.m. news as well. Prior to joining NBC, the veteran journalist was an anchor and reporter at ABC 7's WLS-TV, having spent a total of 38 years in the news industry. 

In his free time, he is most remembered for singing in community theaters. 

"A friend, a father, a dedicated journalist, and a great journalist whose words always captured the impact of every story," WMAQ-TV described in its tribute video Tuesday. "Dick cared about the people he covered and the people he worked with every day."

Johnson's colleagues posted their condolences to social media following his death. 

"NBC5's Dick Johnson was the best kind of newsman. Smart, thorough, nimble when deadlines were crashing around him. No cliches. Just facts, fairness and great writing. And he was funny! What a loss to all who knew him. But especially to his loving family," Carolin Marin from NBC 5 tweeted on Tuesday.

Peggy Kusinski described Johnson as "a beautiful writer even for a 1 minute live shot, a team guy supportive with his compliments, smiling, positive, & a gentle man."

NBC 5 News' political reporter Mary Ann Ahern expressed her condolences on Twitter: "There are tears for his loss, knowing Dick was the real deal; mentor to so many, a news soldier."