A local television legend has announced he is retiring later this year. Don Alhart’s last day with 13WHAM will be June 6th, the same day that marks his 58th anniversary of being in the television news business.
“I am grateful for the loyal viewers who allowed me to pursue a lifelong career passion while also serving a community I love,” Alhart said. “I would never look back and wish that I had done something else. The ability to say that, may be one of the greatest gifts of all,” Alhart said in a statement issued by 13 WHAM.
Mr. Alhart’s biography from the 13WHAM website appears below:
Don Alhart began his career in broadcasting as a summer relief engineer at WROC-TV, in Rochester, New York, in 1962- during the summers of 1962-1964.
In the summer of 1965, he was hired as a reporter for WOKR-TV, Channel 13 (now 13WHAM ABC).
During those college years, he was also a news reporter and D.J, for WTKO Radio, in Ithaca, New York. Upon receiving his bachelor’s degree from Ithaca College in 1966, Don returned to Channel 13, where he continues to work today as anchor of 13WHAM News at 6.
He has been honored five times with the prestigious Edward R. Murrow Award for excellence in television news. He has received honors both for writing and for best newscast. In 2010, Don was inducted into the New York State Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame. Don has been a volunteer with the ARC of Monroe for nearly 40 years and received its Community Partner Award in 1982. He and his wife, Mary, hosted the annual “Weekend with the Stars for Cerebral Palsy” on WOKR-TV from 1980 to 1990. He received the Community Service Award from the New York State United Cerebral Palsy Association in 1986. Don has been recognized with numerous other awards, including the VFW Award of Merit, the Humanitarian Award from the Rochester Police Rosewood Club, the Mass Media Communicator Award from SUNY-Brockport, and the Ithaca College Alumni Award. He was honored by the Salvation Army with their prestigious Others Award in 1996, and in 2002, received the Tikkun Olam award from the Jewish Community Center of Rochester, given annually to an individual who demonstrates the meaning of the words: “Repairing the World.”
He has been an active member of the Rochester Rotary Club since 1976, serving as president from 1987 to 1988. He served as a Rotary District Governor in 2002-2003, responsible for 67 clubs in the Greater Rochester area and Southern Tier of New York State. He was also honored with the 60th Annual Rochester Rotary Award, the oldest major civic award in the community, which is presented each year to a citizen who has made a significant contribution to the business, professional, cultural, or civic life of the community.
