White House correspondent Mark Knoller of CBS News passes away at the age of 73

CBS White House Correspondent Mark Knoller Passes Away at 73

Mark Knoller, a renowned White House correspondent for CBS News, has sadly passed away at the age of 73. Known in Washington as the unofficial presidential archivist, Knoller's encyclopedic knowledge of the White House and the presidency made him a world-class journalist with an unrelenting work ethic.

Mark Knoller began his career at WNEW Radio and the Associated Press Radio Network before moving to CBS. He quickly became the White House correspondent for CBS Radio, covering the administrations of Presidents George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump.

Nancy Benac, the AP's former White House editor, described Knoller as a journalist who could be approached with any question and always had the answer. Benac also highlighted Knoller's amazing sense of humor and dry zingers, while Mark Smith, a former colleague, remembered him as playful.

Mark Knoller was not only admired by his fellow reporters but also by the administrations he was covering. Ari Fleischer, White House press secretary under Bush, called him a "gem of a man" and the definition of a good reporter. Fleischer also spoke of Knoller's love for Crawford, Texas, home of the Bush family ranch, and his ability to fit in seamlessly despite being a Brooklyn native.

Fleischer also noted Knoller's "booming voice" and his penchant for compiling statistics, which he frequently shared with his competition. Knoller chronicled details such as how many times a president had gone golfing or had answered questions from the press. This persistence in asking questions and ability to elicit responses from presidents without being hectoring or evasive was a testament to Knoller's professionalism.

Mark Knoller's reputation extended beyond his fellow reporters, as he was known in Washington as the unofficial presidential archivist. His demand for accountability and transparency from every president he covered was unwavering.

Mark Smith, a former colleague of Knoller, described their relationship as "competitors/comrades" and noted Knoller's long working hours, particularly on foreign trips. Smith recalled Knoller's persistence in asking questions, but also his ability to elicit responses from presidents without being hectoring or evasive.

Ben Feller, a former colleague, remembered Knoller for keeping the humanity in the White House and understanding that the beat was always about the people. Fleischer called Knoller "one of the kindest, most courteous, modest people in the press corps."

Mark Knoller left CBS in 2020, but his legacy will continue to live on in the world of journalism. The search results do not provide information about which presidency Knoller reported on the most, but his impact on White House reporting is undeniable.

Mark Knoller's passing is a significant loss to the journalism community, and he will be greatly missed. His encyclopedic knowledge, unrelenting work ethic, and commitment to accountability and transparency will serve as an inspiration to future generations of journalists.