Locals react to news anchor Lou Dobbs’ death

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY/AP) - News host, journalist and anchor Lou Dobb, who got his start in Yuma, passed away on Thursday at 78-years-old.

Locals are sharing their reaction following Dobbs' passing, with some of them sharing that they worked alongside him during his time in Yuma.

Lou Dobbs started his remarkable career in Yuma working for KBLU in the mid 1970s, reporting on topics like politics and economics.

"He always had a smile and he wasn't afraid to ask questions. He was always straightforward people," said Don Dinwiddie, a videographer for the University of Arizona who worked with Dobbs in the latter's early days. "He was really into, from the beginning as a reporter, into interviewing politics and I remember people like Mo Udall would come into town and Jones Osborn...He was always in that political field."

Another local, Howard Blitz, was an economics professor at Arizona Western College, says he would work with Dobbs to put together special reports on economics in Yuma.

"Lou was fantastic, I really enjoyed working with him. He Just wanted a Yuma County economic report. He would read it over, I would write it up, and he would edit. We just had a good working relationship, he was just a terrific guy to work with," Blitz shared.

Many successful news reporters started their careers in Yuma. However, very few were able to do it like Dobbs.

"Lou is the one that went the furthest, probably, but there was Fred Rogan and Rogan's Heroes and Mike Pumo with sports. A lot of people use this as their first stepping stone," Dinwiddie added.

Dobbs went on to become one of the original anchors at CNN when it started in 1980 and spent more than two decades there.

"He made a great success of himself. I can't believe he passed away already. He's 78 years old. Pretty young guy," Blitz remarked.

"He will be missed," Dinwiddie expressed.

A friend of Dobbs says he and his wife loved Yuma and that they always wanted to get back to come eat at El Charro and Chretins.

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