Dan Rather
- Oct 1, 1982
- 9 min read
Updated: Mar 5
In 1982, I was offered a job with CBS.
I had a great run of producing interesting stories during Dan Rather's last five years anchoring at CBS. Dan is a wonderful reporter, a guy who loves the news. I was intimidated at first, but grew fond of him as we worked together in difficult places, from Haiti to Moscow to Sri Lanka and South Africa. He adds to every story he works on.
FACEBOOK Dan Rather
Longtime CBS News producer George Osterkamp has passed. God rest his soul. George was one of the good guys — and among the finest television newsmen of his time. I will miss him.
RIP.. I worked with him once in CBS Baghdad Office ...I was the office translator/interpreter
He was the producer
As a cousin of George who was with him during some of his last days, I know how touched he would have been by this appreciation from Dan and other CBS colleagues. Of particular is his longtime CBS partner John Blackstone, who came to visit him every day in that last week in the hospital.
IIRC Dan Rather sat at his desk every weeknight during the Iran hostage crisis to give the latest news. And there was always a graphic of a lion with its paw on top of a caged eagle. I was only seven at the time but it’s forever etched in my mind.
Grateful that you’re still with us, Dan.
Condolences...also, sorry to see the collapse of C.B.S. news and the birth of "paid for" journalism...so much for the "free press"...
Sorry to hear the news. I still remember watching Eyewitness News, Channel 7, with Peter Jennings, Van Amberg, Pete Giddings, doing weather, back when Cable News was way less complicated. You just changed the channel to tune in. Today, one has to change Cable packages, paying more each time around, for the same thing.
Country’s short of good guys. Stick around Dan
George was a mentor to so many and respected by the people I respected the most at CBS News. Our thoughts are with his loved ones.
George Osterkamp was a brilliant man. We kept in contact with him over the years; he lived in a town near us in Northern CA. Rest in peace, George.
We miss you
Condolences Dan. Perhaps he didn’t want to experience state run television.
So sorry for your loss. Journalism is literally and figuratively dying. (Journalism major)
Sorry to hear this news. I worked with George indirectly during my PR days. He was a consummate pro. 
Dan Rather it’s true- how grateful I am and we are to have your ilk of professional journalist and the insights you share. I too grew up watching you. There are very few younger journalists now who come even a little close to the depth and honour you provide to your craft. Thank you and please know what a difference you have made!!
I worked with George at the CBS SF Bureau in the '90's. He was a brilliant producer, but more important, a warm, generous, fabulous human being. Greatly missed!
So very sorry for your loss and that of a man with high standards.
I would love to see a printed list of the Good Guys.
We miss you Dan Rather. The camera is blinking a lot these days!
RIP
Condolences on the loss of your longtime colleague.
Condolences on the loss of your colleague. If you’re like me, these losses mark the end of an era
And I miss you.
Sad news, indeed. George was a talented and thoughtful producer for many decades at CBS News. RIP, George and condolences to his family.
Praying for all.
How lives March on. On to matters of light .
Condolences Mr. Rather. From a devoted follower in Canada
No ordinary man. He will be missed.
Top fan
So sorry for your loss.
Love you Mr. Rather!
Be at peace
May his memory be a blessing to all who knew him
Condolences
Condolences.May his memory be a blessing
Very sorry for you loss
Sorry for your, his family’s, and CBS’s loss. My condolences to everyone in that circle.
Dear George, you will be missed. We enjoyed your visits to London, your various appetite for visiting the theatre, the really interesting informed discussions we had.
So very sorry
consummate pro and just the sweetest, RIP.
R.I.P. George!
CBS isn't what it used to be. I don't watch that channel. Ever!
He was one of the good guys—and so are you! I miss those days…
I pray his family's strength in the Lord!
You have my condolences, Dan.
My condolences, Mr. Rather. I
I will not watch CBS any longer ! It’s disgraceful . We miss you and your colleagues honest journalism!
My condolences.
My condolences
He was a gentleman and a true professional. I liked him very much. He was so proud to have been working for you.
Yup. You guys are a dying breed. I miss good old fashion news. Came on after the local news. Was 30 minutes long. When it was over. You turned off the T.V. and went about your day/night. Thank you, Mr. Rather.
Rest in Peace ⚘️
I'm so sorry.
You're one of the Good Guys!
Prayers for all who love him
We had breakfast with George, on a visit to London last year. I first worked with him in Beirut during the TWA 847 hijacking in '85. Lovely man.
Top fan
So sorry to hear that.
Condolences to family and prayers for comfort
Condolences
RIP
Hello from Wharton, Texas Dan
Sincere condolences on your loss.
May his spirit rise.
My sympathies RIP
Dan…I admire you so much for your professionalism and integrity. You are a top notch newsman and journalist. I wish you the best always.
Prayers. R.i.p.
So so sorry to hear this Sending Hugs Love Thoughts and Prayers For Healing and Comfort For You All
Condolences so sad
Just promise us Mr. Rather that you will be around for all of us to see brighter days. Other than possibly Mr. Cronkite, I can't think of a more respected journalist in my life.
George was a consummate professional always. Kind, journalistically gifted, gritty, fun. Sending prayers and condolences to his family. It was a pleasure working with him from NY and in person in the LA Bureau.
Prayers lifted up
My condolences to all who love him.
Sad to hear this
My sincere condolences!
Lucky guy, a way out of this shit!
I'm sorry for your and the world's loss, especially since he was one of the good guys.
Never heard of her.
May he RIP. Condolences to his loved ones
I’m so sorry for your loss. May his memory be a blessing.
Thank you both for your professionalism and dedicated work. May he rest in peace.
My sincerest condolences
I'm sorry for your loss
May he RIP
My sincerest condolences
So sorry. RIP, George...
Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord and perpetual light shine upon him
Stay safe and well yourself Mr. Rather.
God bless
May his memory be for a blessing.
Top fan
So sorry to hear that and so sorry for your personal loss, Dan Rather.
My Deepest Condolences to George Osterkamp's family and loved ones, he will be deeply missed by all who knew him
he was such a good news producer. Always calm. Always considered. And in all ways competent. The kind we need now more than ever.
Huge condolences Big Dan.
So very sad. George was extremely talented. What a gem
My deepest condolences to the family
Very sorry to hear. Condolences
RIP George Osterkamp.
My heartfelt condolences
My sister married into the Blair family. Did you know Frank Blair who was with the Today Show?
May he rest in eternal peace.
Top fan
Top fan
RIP, what a loss for the news community, he will truly be missed
Another traitor and liar bites the dust. Goodbye.
I'm sorry for your loss Dan Rather. You are a wonderful newsman and I'm so glad we have your sane voice in the constant chaos of the Trump disaster.
As your generation retires and dies we are left with a vacuum of real journalists and reporters. Your generation was the last of the factual reporting for facts sake.
I know this is about your producer Mr. Osterkamp...but I also want to call out that it's a shame how far the broadcasting industry has fallen since you were the weeknight anchor on CBS. I was a child and teenager for the years you were on the air, so admittedly I thought the news was "that boring thing my parents watched," and honestly eschewed watching much myself.
Of course I'm not a child or teen anymore, I don't have kids of my own yet but I now understand that "boring" nature of the news was reflective of the seriousness that you and all the reporters at CBS - folks such as Mika Breszinki who I still watch on MSNOW - took their work, and how it was something intended to be presented with a somber and serious tone. It wasn't entertainment, or something that concerned itself with ratings. We'd get the same information on ABC or NBC, with no slant or angle, implicit or explicitly.
Can we return to those days?
May he rest well!
My sympathy.
That’s not true
Very sad news. As you say, George Osterkamp was one of the best in broadcast journalism. A real gentleman, too. I know he'd been working on a biographical documentary of Belva Davis, the pioneering African American journalist and public TV anchor in San Francisco who passed away last year. George will be missed by many who knew him and remember his outstanding work.
Prayers
And George sorry for loss
Condolences, Mr. Rather.
Condolences Dan Rather
RIP. CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY
May he rest in peace.
So sorry to hear. May his memory be a blessing.
REST IN PEACE
I’m sorry for your loss.
I'm SO sorry for your loss Mr. Rather.
Icon.
Sorry for your loss, Dan.
I'm sorry
So sorry to read about his passing.
We miss you Dan
So sorry.
My condolences, you then Obama and bin Laden came to my house in east Texas. I need to speak to you if possible. I want take up much time.
Darn
I offer condolences. May he RIP
Sorry for your loss, Dan.
Sorry for your loss Mr. Rather.
I miss you Dan!!
RIP
CBS News was once the best. I miss it.
.
May his memory be for a blessing.
Praying
So very sorry for your loss !!!
Probably a lie
Condolences on the loss of your colleague.
I m sorry.
May his memory be a blessing.
I am so sorry for your loss Mr. Rather.
RIP May his family find solace in thr Faith
May his memory be a blessing.
So sorry
Rest in Peace Mr. Osterkamp!
So sorry.
I'm so sorry for your loss. May he rest in peace.
My sincere condolences to you I’m sorry for your loss
I, too, am sorry for your loss.
We miss you, Dan!!
Another loss to journalism. CBS isn’t what it used to be.
Prayers
Top fan
There was no imminent threat to us.
This was an unconstitutional and unneeded war Trump started.
Congress let ONE PERSON START A WAR ... the framer's were absolutely against that sort of power resting in one person.
I miss you!
I love you dearly Dan Rather
I am so sorry for your loss
Rest in peace Amen
Rest in Peace
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