‘A true gentleman’: Gene Mueller and John Mercure on death of WISN-TV’s Mike Anderson [VIDEO]

One of Milwaukee’s top longtime television journalists unexpectedly passed away, and his family, friends and fellow journalists are mourning.

Mike Anderson, WISN-TV’s veteran anchor for decades, died at 67 years old with loved ones by his side.

Respect and admiration came from across the industry, from those who worked with and even competed with Anderson on the news beat, including our own Wisconsin’s Afternoon News host John Mercure.

“Mike Anderson was a gentle and genuine giant.  For part of my time at TMJ4 News we covered the same beat. We would spend the day trying to scoop each other on the day’s big story, but at the end of our live shots each evening, we would always hug it out and talk about our families, our neighborhoods etc.,” John said.

“He was a true gentleman.”

Our Gene Mueller not only hosts Wisconsin’s Morning News, but has been on Milwaukee radio as long as Anderson was on TV, and for years Gene has played a major role at one of the media’s key local organizations, the Milwaukee Press Club.

‘”Mike Anderson was a truly talented journalist who deeply cared about those he covered and the community where he lived,” said Gene.

“Anyone who ever had the pleasure of meeting him is better for the experience, and Milwaukee is minus one of its best assets with his passing.”

Watch a retrospective of Anderson’s career below.