SCOTTSDALE – Hugh Downs passed away peacefully in his Scottsdale home surrounded by his family on July 1 at the age of 99.
We join the ASU community in mourning the passing of a leader on-campus and off. His passion & dedication to civic engagement was evident to all who knew him. Many of our members were blessed to know him. We praise God for a life well-lived, and pray that he may rest in peace.
— ASU College Republicans (@ASUCollegeGOP) July 3, 2020
Downs was an Emmy-winning broadcaster whose decades-long TV career ranged from anchoring ABC News’ “20/20” to the “Today” show to serving as Jack Paar’s sidekick on “The Tonight Show.”
“Hugh Downs was a man of great integrity who was an exemplar of the very best of journalism, America’s Fourth Estate,” ASU President Michael M. Crow said in a press release. “His passing saddens the entire ASU community. His name is synonymous with the complex role of human communication and the university will continue to honor his impact through educating future leaders in this field through the college that bears his name. We offer our condolences to his family, his friends, and all he touched through his engagement on issues of impact in the times in which we live. Notwithstanding his loss, his impact will live on.”