Ron Kershaw

Ron Kershaw (1945 – July 1989) was an American television news executive responsible for several television news innovations. Considered somewhat a genius, Kershaw was the news director in several large cities across the United States including New York, Chicago and Baltimore.

News director

In 1974, Kershaw was hired by WBAL-TV in Baltimore to shore up its sagging news ratings. He introduced the Action News format, hired young, gifted new talent and moved the station from last to first in less than a year. Sue Simmons and Spencer Christian were two of Kershaw's protégés who went on to become big names in TV news. Kershaw moved on to WNBC-TV in New York where he collaborated with Peter Sang in bringing the "control room" set into TV news. Kershaw was also mentor to Bucky Gunts, now an award-winning television news director who worked for Kershaw in Baltimore and Chicago.

Personal life and death

Prior to his move to Baltimore, Kershaw had been dating Jessica Savitch, a news reporter who had worked for a rival television station in Texas. Kershaw helped develop her skills as a reporter during their stormy 10-year on-again and off-again relationship. The relationship was depicted in the made for television movie: Almost Golden, about the life of Jessica Savitch.

In 1987, Kershaw met Giselle Fernandez, whom he had hired as a reporter at WBBM-TV. They were engaged to be married when Kershaw died of pancreatic and liver cancer in July 1989 at age 44.

Family

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Photojournalist Beau Kershaw, WBAL-TV, Baltimore

Kershaw is survived by his son, Beau Kershaw, an award winning photojournalist at Kershaw's old station, WBAL-TV in Baltimore. Young Kershaw's awards include seven Emmy Awards a Peabody Award and the duPont-Columbia silver baton.