Obit

Sam Merrill, 55

LONGTIME US TV ANCHOR AND JOURNALIST Sam Merrill died Thursday, February 25. He was 55.

Merrill died suddenly after collapsing last week. He served as an anchor and reporter for  WNEM TV-5 for 25 years. While serving as a reporter, Merrill also emceed hundreds of community events. He was especially devoted to children’s needs which he demonstrated  by hosting the annual MDA Telethon and Turnaround Achievement Awards, as well as through his involvement with the Children’s Abuse and Neglect Council. He was also involved with the Saginaw Downtown Rotary and Habitat for Humanity.

Family and friends mourned the passing of Merril. Andrew Keller, fellow reporter of Merrill, said that “he was a professional’s professional. Everyone in the newsroom looked up to him because of his journalism skills as well as his morals. The way that he held his journalistic values should always be the way journalism should be.” (“WNEM TV5 reporters remember Sam Merrill as a leader in the newsroom”, MLive.com, February 25, 2016)

His father, Sam Merrill Sr., said “I continue to hear  stories of how much everyone loved him and how he  touched the lives of so many.” (“Sam Merrill’s parents recall their TV5 news anchor son as funny, honest”, MLive.com, March 02, 2016)

He is survived by his parents, wife, and children.

Craig Windham, 66

VETERAN RADIO NEWSCASTER Craig Windham died Sunday, February 28. He was 66.

Windham, who worked for  US National Public Radio (NPR), succumbed to pulmonary embolism last week. He joined the NPR in 1995 and was best known for delivering concise reports for the network’s top-of-the-hour newscasts. He initially worked for the network as a reporter and from time to time also served as an anchor. His reports covered highlights of the day, ranging from natural disasters to court hearings in Capitol Hill.

Before joining NPR, Windham was a national correspondent for the Unistar radio network. He also served as a news director at WASH-FM in Washington.  Windham had several professional awards including two prestigious Gabriel Awards, the Champion Media Award for Economic Understanding, and Gold Medals for Best Network Anchor/Reporter from the International Radio Festival. (“Craig Windham, Newscaster,” NPR.com)

Robert Garcia, executive producer of NPR’s Newscasts, said that Windham touched many lives “He was one of the best reporters and anchors I have ever had the privilege of working with in my 40 years in this business. His beautiful writing, his use of sound, his calm, and steady, gorgeous delivery — all marked the work of a caring journalist who loved nothing more than telling a good story, adding the texture that took you there and leaving every listener invested in some way — moved or informed.” (“Craig Windham, NPR Voice Familiar To Millions, Dead At 66,” HuffingtonPost.com, March 1, 2016)

He is survived by his brother, a niece and a nephew.