By: Caroline Kambrich
From your cup of morning coffee, to the late night dinners, my dad was a familiar face in homes all across the Capital Region. He was the anchorman of WNYT Albany, News Channel 13, leading the team for over 17 years. Whether it was from behind a desk or out in the field, my dad was the most hardworking, dedicated news anchor. His delivery and presence effortlessly captured the audience. His friendly jokes and demeanor with his co-anchors is what made his broadcast so unique and special. It was a lot of fun seeing him on the TV before I would get ready for school, or (when he did the later shifts) have him on in the background while I finished up my homework. I always loved watching him work, although his schedule was unusual, he always made time to be home for dinner and to squeeze in snuggle time with the cats before heading back to the studio. When I was very little and would visit him at work, I would sit next to him behind the desk while he did his broadcast (I was so little no one could see me), but as I got older I would usually peruse the vending machines to pick out my sweet treat for the day and go visit Walter in the tech room. I miss visiting him at work and seeing familiar friendly faces.
After work, or when we would run errands together on the weekends, I always noticed that strangers would greet my dad so casually, and I found this to be very odd—“Hey, how ya doin’ Jim?!”—as if they’d known him forever. Dad would smile, say hello, and carry on. I’d ask, “Who was that?” and he’d answer, “I don’t know, sweetie.” It baffled me then, but as I got older, I find it to be incredibly endearing. These were people who watched him in their homes every day. They felt connected to him. This wasn’t just another face delivering the news. He always matched their warmth, even without knowing their names. To be randomly acknowledged by a stranger for doing what you love really resonated with me. Trust and credibility matter, of course, but when people like you for who you are, and tune in because of that, it’s what makes him such a special person.
Watching my dad build relationships, with coworkers and viewers, really stuck with me as an adult. That’s what gives purpose to our professional lives: finding connection, and building on it with trust, empathy, respect, and understanding. It enriches everything, our work and our personal lives.
After more than 41 years in broadcasting, my dad stepped away from journalism. I’ve always admired him and my mom for their incredible careers and appreciated everything they’ve done not just for my sister and me, but for the community around them. They genuinely love what they do, what they studied, committed to, and devoted decades of their lives to. I think only the really lucky people get to experience that. And I’m lucky that I got to watch it up close.
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