Bob Schieffer Retiring From 'Face the Nation'

The journalist, who has worked in the industry for over fifty years -- 46 of which with CBS -- will say goodbye to the newsroom this summer. He made the announcement in Fort Worth at TCU's Schieffer College of Communication, where he was speaking at its annual Schieffer Symposium.

"Bob's been with CBS since 1969... Chief Washington Correspondent since 1982 ... and host of 'Face the Nation' since 1991. That broadcast is in its 60th year and has never been better or more powerful, ranking consistently number one this season," CBS News president David Rhodes said in a statement. "He's been an inspiration and a mentor to so many colleagues -- and frankly, to me. You could see at TCU tonight how that inspiration extends to a wider community of reporters and editors and academics ... Not to mention the example he sets as a father and husband with his wife Pat and his whole family here and elsewhere."

But, Rhodes continued, "It's not over yet. Bob will be on the air this Sunday from the Washington bureau. And for a number of Sundays to come. We'll have more to report soon about the plans for this important broadcast and for the Washington bureau as a whole. An important 2016 campaign season is beginning. But this is Bob's night and I hope we can all celebrate with him the remarkable achievement which is his career here at CBS."

Schieffer, who has interviewed every president since Richard Nixon, has been talking retirement for awhile. In January 2008, he said he would step down after the inauguration of a new president. Last November, he interviewed President Obama.