One of the most recognizable news media persons, if not the most recognizable news media persons, in the greater Lehigh Valley will retire.

WFMZ-TV news anchor Rob Vaughn will retire in July.

Vaughn made the announcement on the 5 p.m. June 14 WFMZ newscast.

Vaughn’s last telecast is Friday, July 12, according to a video posted by WFMZ, which has its television studios and antenna tower atop South Mountain, off East Rock Road, Salisbury Township.

WFMZ will count down to Vaughn’s retirement “with lots of on-air memories and surprises,” according to the WFMZ website.

A half-hour special, “Celebrating Rob Vaughn,” will air 6:30 p.m. July 10, after the newscast.

In the June 14 on-air announcement, Vaughn said:

“It’s time for me to call it a day here at WFMZ-TV. I’ve been at the anchor desk for almost 37 years, and it’s time to retire.

“I’ve been thinking about it for quite a while. My wife Angela has been retired for a few years, and she’s been nudging me to join her in that.

“We’ll finally get to have dinner together at a normal dinner time.

“As you may know, I’ve been getting treatment for prostate cancer, but I don’t want you to think that’s why I’m retiring.

“Actually, I had planned a mid-2024 retirement before my diagnosis, and I’m just sticking to that timeline.

“I’ll be here another month, and then in mid-July, I’ll stop, just in time for our family to do our annual vacation week in Cape May.

“I’ll have a lot more to say before mid-July comes, and I know people here will have more to say about me, as awkward as that might be.

“For now, let me just say what a privilege it has been to work with this great news team. With Wendy [Davis, WFMZ news co-anchor], of course, and with the dozens of others who put our newscasts together, and the hundreds of journalists I’ve worked with here over the years.

“It has been a great honor,” Vaughn said on the June 14 newscast.

Vaughn began at WFMZ-TV in 1987 “and over the years, he developed a reputation for reliability, steadiness and calm at the anchor desk,” states the WFMZ website press release.

Vaughn has received several Emmy nominations in the News Anchor category for the Philadelphia TV market.

In 2018, the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters named Vaughn “Broadcaster of the Year.”

Vaughn followed in the footsteps of his father, radio newsman Robert Vaughn.

Rob Vaughn joined WFMZ-TV after a tenure in radio news, including the Associated Press Radio Network and WIP-AM, Philadelphia.

Vaughn has covered countless news events, from local natural disasters; moderated political debates, interviewed presidential candidates, and hosted WFMZ specials, including community forums, talk shows and telethons.

Vaughn said he looks forward to time with his wife, Angela, their three adult children and 10 grandchildren.

Vaughn plans to write, travel and continue ministry work at his church.

Rob Vaughn retirement announcement, co-anchor tributes:

https://www.wfmz.com/