Family, Faith, and 48 Years on Television

Set against the backdrop of every major story of the last half century-from Vietnam War protests to the O.J. Simpson trial to countless politicians behaving badly- this story is a vivid remembrance of a life well lived, both on and off camera.

During his remarkable 48-year career on KCBS Channel 2 news, Dave Lopez was a nightly presence in LA living rooms and covered every major story in the Southland. General managers and news directors came and went in the unforgiving TV news world, but Dave outlasted more than twenty regime changes. LA’s man in the street kept his head down, nose to the grindstone, and along the way garnered awards, accolades, and thousands of fans. Professional success came early, but the true measure of a man i his family. In this nostalgic look back, Dave recalls the value instilled by his hardworking father. It is also a love story that began in high school…and how the fearless reporter who thought he could conquer or investigate his way out of anything was forced to accept that some foes cannot be beaten.

DAVE LOPEZ is a retired news reporter who has won virtually every award in broadcasting and journalism over his distinguished career reporting on the air in Southern California, including nine Emmys and the Joe Quinn Award for Lifetime Achievement from the Los Angeles Press Club. 

 A native Angeleno, he and his late wife, Elaine, raised two children in Downey, where he was a noted youth coach for many years. He currently lives in Long Beach, CA, with wife Diandra, and dotes on his four grandchildren.