And that’s the way it is, July 17, 2009
July 17th, 2009 | 
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Walter Cronkite died today.
An American Icon dies at 92 after a long battle with cerebrovascular disease. I am deeply saddened by this loss as I grew up watching his broadcasts on the CBS Evening News in the 1960s and 1970s. I remember his presentations were simple and believable. His voice was, and still is, one of the most recognizable voices ever. He was a man who became "the most trusted man in America" according to viewer polls, and I second that honor.
Of all the news broadcasts, Kennedy, Vietnam, Watergate, my most vivid recollection is that of the space race. I will always remember his, "Oh boy. Whew. Boy!", as he removed his glasses and rubbed his hands together as Apollo missions succeeded. Walter guided us (America) through all of the trials and tribulations of the fledgling NASA space program. His teary eyed account of the Apollo moon landing is etched in my brain forever.
He was the only non-NASA recipient of a Moon-rock award. NASA presented Cronkite with a moon rock sample from the early Apollo expeditions which spanned 1969 to 1972. Cronkite pass on the Moon rock to President Bill Powers of the University of Texas at Austin, and it became part of the collection at the Dolph Briscoe Center for American History. Carleton said at this occasion,
We are deeply honored by Walter Cronkite’s decision to entrust this prestigious award to the Center for American History. The Center already serves as the proud steward of his professional and personal papers, which include his coverage of the space program for CBS News. It is especially fitting that the archive documenting Walter's distinguished career should also include one of the Moon rocks that the heroic astronauts of the Apollo program brought to Earth.
ASU President Michael Crow orders university flags to be flown at half-staff for a week in honor of the late Walter Cronkite as the Cronkite School offers special tributes to the school's namesake.
Walter Cronkite was the leading example of integrity. Something that is lost today. Something that will unfortunately not be achieved again.
Walter Leland Cronkite, Jr. (November 4, 1916 – July 17, 2009)
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