The world has lost a broadcasting legend. Longtime Valley resident Hugh Downs has passed away at age 99. 

Downs was born in Ohio in 1921 and had already begun his career in radio when he was called off by the Army in 1943 to fight in World War II.  

When he returned, he became one of Chicago’s early television pioneers. He later had a decade-long stint hosting the popular game show “Concentration” while concurrently hosting NBC’s Today Show.

But many younger viewers remember Downs’ days with ABC as the co-host of the network’s weekly prime-time newsmagazine.

He hosted "20/20" until his retirement in 1999. He spent his latter years living in Scottsdale. Arizona State University named its school of Human Communication after him. 

Downs’ wife of 75 years, Ruth, died in March 2017.