Former CNN political correspondent Charles Bierbauer is dead at 83.
The cable network announced the death of the veteran newsman and former White House Correspondents Association president Sunday. Bierbauer primarily covered Washington, D.C. for 20 years before leaving CNN in 2001.
He went on to serve as the first dean of the University of South Carolina’s College of Mass Communications and Information Studies from 2002 to 2018.
“He is fondly remembered for many achievements, including fundraising and supporting students who went on to win Pulitzer Prizes,” recalled Tom Reichert, who succeeded Bierbauer at the school.
Bierbauer himself was honored with the 1973 Overseas Press Club Award for his coverage on the Yom Kippur War in the Middle East.
He lived out his retirement in Spruce Pine, N.C., where he died Friday from unspecified causes, according to the university. His family said Sunday the ace reporter’ “generous heart gave out after a good, long life.”
The Allentown, PA. native began his long career on local radio before joining the The Associated Press in Pittsburgh. He spent four years at ABC News before moving to cable news.
CNN veteran Wolf Blitzer called his former colleague an inspirational figure whose loss will be felt.
“He was a good friend, colleague, and mentor, and I will certainly miss him,” Blitzer, 77, said.
Bierbauer’s beat included but wasn’t limited to the Pentagon, White House and U.S. Supreme Court.
In 2022, Russia’s attack on Ukraine prompted him to remember his time reporting from Moscow in an article published by the University of South Carolina.
“To file a story from Moscow, I could first send my script by telex from a punched paper tape,” Bierbauer wrote. “I needed to book an international phone call hours in advance to transmit my narration. The iPhone had not yet been invented.”
He expressed concern for reporters in Ukraine covering Russia’s aggression today, but felt they’re doing important work.
“One reason journalists take the risks is to put the lie to the terror visited on the people who always bear the brunt of war’s death and devastation,” Bierbauer wrote.
He is survived by veteran AP military affairs reporter Susanne Schafer, whom he married in April 1983. They had four children and seven grandkids.
With News Wire Services
