In April 2002, Carl and I seized the opportunity to attend an exclusive American Express Platinum Card “By Invitation Only” dinner event in New York City, where we had the rare privilege of spending an evening with the legendary Walter Cronkite.
Reflecting on that intimate gathering, I penned some notes to capture the essence of our unforgettable night. As the world bids farewell to this iconic television pioneer, the memory of that evening remains dear to me.
Notes from NYC Dinner with Betsy and Walter Cronkite (WC) on April 9, 2002
Carl and I prepared extensively for our dinner with the Cronkites, promising ourselves not to utter the cliché phrase. Yet, when the moment arrived, we couldn’t resist: “We watched you on TV as little kids.” Oops!
Our evening began by greeting Betsy Cronkite, who was warm and approachable. She expressed how often people gravitate first to her famous husband, leaving her in the shadows. WC noticed our attention toward Betsy, smiled, and immediately felt at ease in his presence.
The conversation was lively and engaging. We even entered entrepreneur mode, pitching our business to “Uncle Walter.” He shared how he used a digital camera and printed photos at home. We explained how he could upload images directly to our company, receive Kodak-quality prints, and have them returned the next day via FedEx. [Today, ScanMyPhotos.com has grown into a much larger company.]
To paraphrase our conversation with WC:
WC fondly remembered President Reagan. He recounted an early 1980s incident in which Reagan, addressing teachers, mistakenly announced that a teacher, rather than a journalist, would be the first civilian to travel aboard the Challenger Space Shuttle. Rather than correcting the President, NASA followed his lead, and history unfolded. WC had been a potential candidate for that tragic journey.
WC expressed grave concerns about the Middle East, comparing the situation to the brink of WWII. He believed an international peacekeeping force, including troops from Arab nations, should intervene to ensure stability. He advocated for U.S. political courage and trust in the UN to maintain world peace. After this intense topic, WC turned to our waiter and quipped, “That has taken so much out of me; I’ll have a double.”
On future exploration, WC envisioned cities on the Moon and anticipated that future generations would marvel at our primitive space travel. He considered himself a great time traveler.
When asked whom he wished to interview, WC replied: Adolf Hitler.
Despite being hard of hearing, WC was remarkably friendly, humorous, and full of captivating stories. He remembered Irvine, California, from a profile he did over 30 years ago during a Boy Scouts Jamboree, noting that the area once had only rattlesnakes. Today, Irvine is a thriving, high-tech metropolis. [ScanMyPhotos.com is located at Jamboree Parkway, which was named after that event.]
Walter Cronkite, often hailed as “The Most Trusted Man in America,” was a legendary journalist and television news anchor. Born on November 4, 1916, in St. Joseph, Missouri, Cronkite began his career in journalism as a radio announcer before joining CBS News in 1950.
He became the anchor of the “CBS Evening News” in 1962, a position he held until 1981. Cronkite’s calm and authoritative presence clarified some of the most pivotal events in history, including the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the Vietnam War, and the moon landing. His dedication to accurate and unbiased reporting earned him the trust and admiration of millions.
Beyond his career, Cronkite was known for his wit, warmth, and visionary perspectives on global issues. His legacy as a pioneering figure in broadcast journalism continues to inspire and influence the industry.
