Reaction and tributes poured in this weekend following the death of former NBC4 Washington news anchor Wendy Rieger who lost a courageous battle with brain cancer, she was 65.
Rieger anchored afternoon news in the Nation’s Capital for 25 years, before that serving as a reporter at WTOP Radio. Born and raised in Virginia, she earned her journalism degree from American University.
NBC4 anchor Jim Handly, who spent many years at the NBC4 news desk with Rieger, told WTOP Radio that Rieger’s humor was still shining brightly, up until her final days.
“She ruled the room as she always did,” Handly said. “People just marveled at every word that came out of her mouth. Viewers felt that she wasn’t just a friend, she was a good friend and that they had known for 30-plus years.”
Doctors discovered Rieger’s brain tumor while she was receiving treatment at Johns Hopkins University for a heart condition. Last year, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser declared Dec. 17, 2021, Wendy Rieger Day in the District.
“I don’t think I know anybody who was more alive than Wendy Rieger,” said NBC4 anchor Doreen Gentzler. “She was very authentic, very spontaneous, very caring and generous. She was a great friend and I feel very grateful that I was able to be her friend.”
On Friday, NBC4 reported that Rieger was entering hospice care, the very next day the station announced that she had passed away. In 2021, she married retired NBC4 news photographer Dan Buckley.
