Veteran ABC New York news anchor Bill Ritter announced his retirement last week after revealing he has been diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. Ritter, 76, shared details of his diagnosis during an appearance on "Good Morning America" on Monday, explaining that his symptoms began about two years ago with difficulty remembering names and places.

Ritter described experiencing worsening memory problems despite reducing his on-air duties, having stepped back from anchoring the 11 p.m. newscast to the 6 p.m. broadcast. Although the lighter schedule allowed him to get better rest than he had in 25 years, his cognitive issues persisted, prompting him to seek medical evaluation.

“It really was an important thing,” Ritter said of his decision to undergo testing, noting that many people might dismiss early signs, but he urged others to take symptoms seriously and seek diagnosis.

Reflecting on his family’s history, Ritter recalled that his father died from Alzheimer’s in 1998. He said his initial reaction to the diagnosis quickly shifted to focusing on his role as a husband and father, emphasizing the impact the illness has on loved ones. “Alzheimer’s really affects the family most,” he said. “As a dad and a husband, I said, ‘I gotta deal with this. This is my family. And that’s what I’m really worried about.’”

Ritter has been a prominent figure in New York television news for more than 25 years. In announcing his retirement, he described his condition as early-stage and noted that while current treatments are helping to manage symptoms, there is no cure. “They say the treatments I’m getting are keeping it at bay. For now. But there is no guarantee, because there’s no cure yet for Alzheimer’s,” he said during an emotional broadcast.

The veteran news anchor’s decision to step down marks the end of a significant career in regional journalism, as he faces the challenges presented by the progressive neurodegenerative disease.