Ron Steele Biography
Ron Steele is a retired American news anchor who dedicated an impressive 51 years to KWWL, the NBC affiliate that serves the Cedar Rapids–Waterloo–Iowa City–Dubuque television market in Iowa. He kicked off his career at the station as a sports director before rising to become one of KWWL’s most beloved news anchors.
Throughout his broadcasting journey, Steele also took on the role of play-by-play announcer for NBC Sports and ESPN. He was the original voice for the Iowa Television Network, which broadcast University of Iowa basketball games all over the state.
Steele’s journalism adventures extended well beyond the studio walls. He reported on the Persian Gulf War from Saudi Arabia and was present at the White House when American hostages returned home from Iran. He even had the opportunity to interview President George H. W. Bush aboard Air Force One.
Beyond his television career, Steele shared his wealth of knowledge as a media instructor at the University of Northern Iowa, where he taught for a decade from 2004 to 2014.
In April 2024, Steele celebrated an incredible 50 years with KWWL. The station honored this milestone with a week of special features showcasing his career, culminating in a 30-minute commemorative program. After more than fifty years at the station, Steele announced his retirement from KWWL, with February 27, 2025, marking his final day on air.
His outstanding career also received national recognition when Senator Chuck Grassley acknowledged Steele’s contributions during remarks on the U.S. Senate floor on February 26, 2025.
Ron Steele Education
Steele holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, Speech and Dramatic Arts from the University of Iowa. He also spent 8 years on the Board of Directors for The University of Iowa Alumni Association and was Board Chair in 2012-2013. READ: Michael Portillo
Ron Steele Age
How old is Ron? Ron is 75 years old as of 2026. He was born in 1950, in Washington, Iowa, United States of America. His birthday is currently under review.
Ron Steele Nationality and Ethnicity
Steele holds American nationality and citizenship by birth. He was born and raised in Washington, Iowa, United States. He belongs to the White-American ethnicity/heritage/ancestry.
Ron Steele Height
He stands at an average height of 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m) and maintains abody weight of 150 lbs (68 kg).
Ron Steele Family
Ron was born and raised in Washington, Iowa by his parents. However, information regarding his family members including his father, mother and siblings is currently under review. READ: Jill Wagner
Ron Steele Wife
Is Ron Married? Steele is happily married to his wife Candy Steele. The couple have been in marriage for more than five decades. The duo are proud parents to three grown children, two sons Ben and Luke and a daughter Katie.
Ron Steele Heart Attack
In February 2017, Ron experienced a heart attack, leading to a successful quadruple bypass open heart surgery. His medical team in Iowa City coined the procedure as “a new heart and a 35-year warranty.” Returning to work in April of the same year, he has since been diligently engaging in almost daily workout sessions.
Ron Steele Retirement
Ron Steele is a retired American news anchor who dedicated an impressive 51 years to KWWL, the NBC affiliate that serves the Cedar Rapids–Waterloo–Iowa City–Dubuque television market in Iowa. He kicked off his career at the station as a sports director before rising to become one of KWWL’s most beloved news anchors.
Throughout his broadcasting journey, Steele also took on the role of play-by-play announcer for NBC Sports and ESPN. He was the original voice for the Iowa Television Network, which broadcast University of Iowa basketball games all over the state.
Steele’s journalism adventures extended well beyond the studio walls. He reported on the Persian Gulf War from Saudi Arabia and was present at the White House when American hostages returned home from Iran. He even had the opportunity to interview President George H. W. Bush aboard Air Force One.
Beyond his television career, Steele shared his wealth of knowledge as a media instructor at the University of Northern Iowa, where he taught for a decade from 2004 to 2014.
In April 2024, Steele celebrated an incredible 50 years with KWWL. The station honored this milestone with a week of special features showcasing his career, culminating in a 30-minute commemorative program. After more than fifty years at the station, Steele announced his retirement from KWWL, with February 27, 2025, marking his final day on air.
His outstanding career also received national recognition when Senator Chuck Grassley acknowledged Steele’s contributions during remarks on the U.S. Senate floor on February 26, 2025.
Ron Steele Salary
Steele serving as a news anchor and reporter at KWWL-TV; Qunicy Newspapers, Inc in Iowa earns an estimated annual salary of $150,000.
Ron Steele Net Worth
Ron is an American award-winning senior journalist, anchor and reporter with an estimated net worth of $1 million. READ: Drew Pritchard
Ron Steele KWWL-TV
Ron currently serves as a news anchor and reporter at KWWL in Waterloo, Iowa. He joined KWWL in 1974 as Sports Director and was the original play-by-play voice of the Iowa Television Network.
He also did play-by-play telecasts for NBC Sports and ESPN, including the Women’s College Basketball Finals and NCAA II Wrestling Finals. He still enjoys sports reporting, and has brought KWWL viewers “Live” reports from such events as the Super Bowl, NCAA Basketball Tournament and The Heisman Trophy presentation at New York City’s Downtown Athletic Club.
In 2013, KWWL introduced The Steele Report, a platform dedicated to dissecting pertinent current affairs, hosting notable figures, and engaging with policymakers. Ron, at the helm, steered the show through 478 episodes aired on KWWL and kwwl.com, shedding light on critical issues and personalities shaping the landscape.
Among Ron’s cherished memories is his exclusive interview aboard Air Force One with President George Bush (41) during a transit from New Mexico to Iowa for an address in Des Moines, an experience emblematic of his distinguished career. Recognizing his contributions, The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences bestowed upon Ron the esteemed Silver Circle Award during the 2011 Upper Midwest Emmy Awards, adding to his repertoire of multiple Emmy wins and nominations.
