Longtime 22News Anchor Rich Tettemer retires after 37 years
CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – After 37 years at 22News, our longtime 22News Anchor Rich Tettemer is retiring.
Rich's career in broadcasting began back in January 1984 as a videotape editor at WFLA in Tampa, Florida. He then went on to become a Weekend Sports Anchor at KODE-TV in Joplin, Missouri.
22News' Rich Tettemer awarded Garry Brown Excellence Award night before retirement
Rich joined the 22News team on April 18, 1988, which was Patriots Day with both the Boston Marathon and the Red Sox morning game, and handled the busy day smoothly. He stood with us through the glory years, covering all the unforgettable Patriots Super Bowl victories. In locker rooms, on parade routes, and in the hearts of fans, Rich captured the emotion behind every win.
From Salt Lake City to Torino, he showed us the world stage at the Olympics. In 2004, an event would be what Rich calls the pinnacle of his sports career. After 86 long years, the Red Sox finally broke the curse, and Rich was right there, bringing the magic home to fans who had waited a lifetime.
He was then moved to anchor the morning newscast on October 16, 2006, after 18 and a half years on the sports desk. He has been the morning news Anchor for another 18 and a half years. Year after year, through rain or shine, Rich was front and center at the Holyoke St. Patrick's Parade, hosting, celebrating, and bringing our communities together.
He helped shape important conversations, moderating debates, holding candidates accountable, and always putting facts first. When the world stood still during the COVID-19 pandemic, Rich stood tall, guiding us with steady hands and trusted words when we needed them most.
During his career at 22News, he was voted by the readers of the Springfield Advocate and the Valley Advocate as Best Sportscaster. Rich has also garnered 13 Associated Press awards from 1994 through 2006. Additionally, he has served as co-host of the Children's Miracle Network Telethon since 1989. He was also just awarded the Garry Brown Excellence Award.
Rich will be replaced by current 22News Reporter Julia O'Keefe. Starting on Monday, Julia and 22News's Kaelee Collins will be the new morning anchor team.
From all of us at 22News and around western Massachusetts, thank you, Rich Tettemer.
WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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