Legendary Sports Anchor has Died

Irv, Rick and Tom

Longtime WKBW (Buffalo) Sports Anchor Rick Azar has passed away.

Azar was one third of at one point in time was the highest rated news anchor team in the country. Back in the 60’s, and 70’s viewers in Buffalo tuned in to watch Irv, Rick and Tom.

News Anchor Irv Weinstein was joined by Tom Jolls doing weather and Rick Azar on sports. The team was legendary in Buffalo.

Azar helped sign the station on the air back in 1958 and stayed there until he retired in June of 1983.

I watched Rick Azar as a kid and also got the chance to play golf with him a number of times. He was a friend of my dad. When you are 12-year-old playing golf with the local Sports Anchor, you really thought you were something.

But, Rick Azar did not think he was something, he was one of the most humble people to every work in TV news.

Back in 2014, Azar told the Buffalo News, “I didn’t do what I did for the fame. I understand people that want that notoriety. That was never part of me. I’m not a limelight seeker or any of that stuff.”

The guy was all class.

Rick Azar is dead at 91-years-old.