Dave LewAllen said goodbye to his WXYZ-TV (7 Action News) co-workers and viewers at the end of Thursday's 6 p.m. newscast, not long after meteorologist Dave Rexroth credited him for the day's brilliant sunshine. After all, would metro Detroit dare to say goodbye to the veteran anchor, who devoted 35 years to working at the ABC affiliate, with anything other than good weather? "There are so many people around Broadcast House right now with tissue, because we're all so sad that you're leaving us. And we're going to miss you. Man, we're gonna miss you !," said LewAllen's fellow anchor, Carolyn Clifford, after a lengthy video segment celebrating his career. There was some good-natured teasing from Rexroth and sports anchor Brad Galli, including Rexroth's remarks about some youthful photos of LewAllen that were shown. "I want the long hair back. Next year, we'll check in," joked Rexroth. More: Detroit anchor Dave LewAllen announces he's retiring from WXYZ's 7 Action News But mostly, it was a lovefest for a colleague that is as admired as he is liked. During the taped segment, legendary former WXYZ meteorologist Jerry Hodak praised LewAllen for gaining the esteem and affection of colleagues, "me included." LewAllen signed off with gratitude, saying, "How lucky I have been to live out a career I dreamed of as a kid." He expressed his thanks for his colleagues ("truly a second family") and "for the loyalty of you, our viewers." Said LewAllen, "I have had thousands of interactions with people from all over southeast Michigan and each and every one of them has made my life richer and I thank you all for that." LewAllen announced in late January that he would be retiring from his leading role at WXYZ. Related: WDIV reporter, anchor Grant Hermes to leave Detroit for Boston
Job More: WXYZ-TV meteorologist Kevin Jeanes leaving Detroit to join Chicago's
NBC station In 1988, the Central Michigan University alum (who played college
Football there) began at WXYZ as a sports reporter and later became a sports anchor, moving permanently to news anchoring in 2004, according to his station biography. Before that, LewAllen worked for Detroit’s WJBK-TV and Lansing’s WLNS-TV in Lansing. LewAllen has earned numerous awards that include four local
Emmys. He also has served the community through his volunteer work for several charities and his roles as past president and current board member of the Rainbow Connection, which fulfills wishes for children in the state with life-threatening illnesses. He spent a decade chairing the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan’s charitable
golf outing. In its farewell tribute to LewAllen, WXYZ noted that he now will have more time to spend with his wife, Sandra, who’s a teacher, and their two grown children. LewAllen’s departure is the latest change in the southeast Michigan TV market, which has seen many comings and goings recently. More: Former WDIV-TV host Jason Carr is back with own show on
Facebook for Detroit viewers Related: A peek into Monica Gayle and Huel Perkins' life with spouses after retirement Last week, meteorologist Kevin Jeanes had his last day on the air at WXYZ. The Naperville, Illinois native left Detroit for a new job in his hometown region, Chicago’s WMAQ-TV. On Sunday morning, WDIV-TV (Local 4 News) reporter and weekend anchor Grant Hermes signed off with the station for the final time. Hermes is joining the staff of Boston’s WHDH-TV. Back in January, meteorologist Paul Gross of WDIV-TV retired after more than 40 years there. That same month, WWJ-TV premiered its first CBS News Detroit newscasts. In March, former WDIV anchor Sandra Ali, who'd been at the local NBC affiliate for 13 years, debuted as a new morning anchor for CBS News Detroit. More: Former WDIV anchor Sandra Ali debuts on CBS News Detroit morning show More: CBS News Detroit to debut 2 local weeknight newscasts, with plans for more Contact Detroit Free Press pop culture critic Julie Hinds at jhinds@freepress.com.