Jim Ruddle left local TV screens 40 years ago, setting off on global adventures aboard a 35-foot custom-built steel-hulled cutter. His death, announced by family on social media, brought an outpouring of memories and tributes from colleagues and competitors alike. Ruddle passed away in Rye, New York, from natural causes at the age of 94.
Tributes from Former Colleagues
Bill Kurtis, once an anchorman at WBBM-Ch. 2, described Ruddle as ‘old school,’ praising his commitment to fairness and clarity in journalism. Ruddle prioritized being both first and accurate, a skill that he showcased alongside notable figures like Kalber, Drury, Chancellor, Cronkite, and Calloway.
Carol Marin, who worked with Ruddle at WMAQ-Ch. 5, highlighted his exceptional memory and high IQ. His career spanned PBS, WGN, WMAQ, and the NBC network. Marin echoed that being ‘old school’ was a high compliment and a defining characteristic of Ruddle’s career.
A Storied Career
James F. Ruddle was born on May 20, 1932, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was the youngest of three siblings. After high school, where he had teachers like radio broadcaster Paul Harvey, he attended the University of Tulsa. In 1951, Ruddle enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard, serving as a radio operator.
Ruddle began his broadcast career in his teens at a small radio station, covering various topics. He joined a TV station in Tulsa in 1954. Ruddle pursued graduate studies at the University of New Mexico, working in places like Albuquerque, Tampa, and Mexico City before settling in Chicago in 1965. There, he joined WGN-Ch. 9 and later WMAQ-Ch. 5.
In 1975, he moved to public broadcasting as the news anchor for WTTW-Ch. 11’s ‘Public News Center’ and later became a regional correspondent for NBC. By 1977, he returned to WMAQ, taking on roles as an anchor and commentator, following the tradition of Len O’Connor and Walter Jacobson. Known for his intellect and gravitas, Ruddle’s straightforward style sometimes clashed with his corporate superiors.
A Life Beyond Broadcasting
Ruddle, unable to tolerate political constraints in the office, decided not to renew his contract in 1986. He chose a life at sea on his boat Zarzuela, named after a form of lively musical theater. He navigated the Atlantic, Mississippi, and the Great Lakes, maintaining connections with friends and family.
Ruddle was married to Anne, with whom he had four children: Emily, Blake, Brey, and Kristen. Anne passed away in 2018. Later in life, he partnered with magazine editor Marilyn Balamaci and lived in Rye. There, he authored a young adult novel, ‘My Name Is Luke,’ inspired by his grandchildren.
Remembering a Media Icon
Ruddle’s daughter, Brey Sloan, described her father as an exceptional man and trusted newsman with an adventurous spirit. He felt fortunate to have witnessed television journalism’s golden era and was content to have stepped away before it changed.
His colleague Peter Nolan recounted Ruddle’s impressive memory and voice, which Kalber once praised as the best on NBC. Known for his humor, Ruddle left behind a legacy of wit and brilliance. He is survived by his children, grandchildren, and Balamaci. A memorial service is planned to honor his life.