WBAY and the audience throughout Northeast Wisconsin are reminiscing about the extraordinary life and career of Chuck Ramsay, a veteran news anchor and iconic broadcaster whose impact has influenced local journalism across generations. At the age of 91, Ramsay leaves a legacy characterized by professionalism, kindness, and a distinctive presence that played a pivotal role in establishing WBAY-TV and Action 2 News as trusted names in the community.
Chuck Ramsay’s broadcasting career spanned four and a half decades, starting in radio within Michigan and transitioning to television throughout Wisconsin. For more than thirty years, he was the familiar face that welcomed viewers every evening, presenting news and sports with credibility and a calm demeanor. His accomplishments earned him the moniker “Walter Cronkite of Northeast Wisconsin,” a testament to the trust that audiences had in him.
Hailing from Cheboygan, Michigan, Ramsay was raised in Dearborn, close to Detroit. Shortly after graduating from high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. A serendipitous meeting at a friend's wedding in Minnesota piqued his interest in broadcasting upon encountering a sportscaster based in Rochester. Captivated after watching a local news broadcast, Ramsay enrolled at the Brown Institute of Radio and TV in Minneapolis, graduating in 1957.
At the inception of his career, he made a brief cameo in the 1959 movie Anatomy of a Murder, which was filmed in Marquette, Michigan, earning $90 alongside actor Jimmy Stewart. Ramsay dedicated eight years to radio and television in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, where he also met his wife, Georgia.
The pair relocated to Green Bay in the mid-1960s. After starting at another local station, Ramsay applied to WBAY-TV upon hearing of an opening. Although his initial job attempt did not pan out as expected, he joined the sports department in 1965 and quickly became a multifaceted contributor. A notable encounter included a tense exchange with the famous Green Bay Packers coach Vince Lombardi while trying to capture practice footage.
Ramsay temporarily left broadcasting to delve into sales and later to assist in managing a resort near Mercer, Wisconsin, indulging his passion for the outdoors and bow hunting. However, WBAY called him back in 1971, offering him a position as a news anchor—a new role that would ultimately define his professional journey. The shift from sports to news was unconventional, yet Ramsay demonstrated it could work, particularly in a sports-centric community like Green Bay.
During his 31 years as a news anchor, Ramsay reported on countless stories, ranging from local achievements to significant international incidents. He traveled to Alaska to cover the Exxon Valdez oil spill and ventured to Iraq during the early phases of the Gulf War. Some stories, he later noted, challenged his poise, serving as a reminder that journalists are also human.
Even after he stepped away from his career in 2002, Ramsay was still a well-known and cherished personality. In 2003, he was honored with induction into the Wisconsin Broadcasters Hall of Fame, and viewers continued to welcome him warmly, feeling as though they had a personal connection with him. Outside of his work in news, he was actively engaged in the community, hosting the yearly CP Telethon, aiding fundraising efforts, acting as an elder at his church, and dedicating his time to various local groups.
A passionate enthusiast of the outdoors and a two-time State Archery Champion, Ramsay adeptly maintained a challenging professional life alongside his family, raising four children with Georgia in a log cabin that he had a hand in constructing. His existence embodied commitment, a thirst for knowledge, and appreciation for every chance he received.
Information about the funeral arrangements will be provided in the upcoming days. The voice, presence, and impact of Chuck Ramsay will continue to be a lasting element of Northeast Wisconsin’s legacy.
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