Roger started as a camera operator at our KTVH studios in Hutchinson in 1972. He was just 17 years old at the time. He quickly moved positions - from producing and reporting to anchoring newscasts. He often described KWCH as the fourth-place station in a town with only three TV stations. But Roger would help change that.
Roger was joined by Susan Peters in the 1980s and the anchor team helped lift KWCH to the number one station in the Wichita-Hutchinson market. In 1991, Cindy Klose joined Roger and the two continued ratings success for 25 years. After Cindy’s retirement in 2016, Melissa Scheffler joined Roger on the anchor desk. Roger retired in 2018. He wanted to sneak out of the studio quietly at the end of the newscast because “my retirement is really not a big deal.” He was absolutely amazed by the outpouring of cards and comments from viewers wishing him well. Cornish told The Eagle that his job was the only one he “really ever wanted to do.” His father was on the staff when KWCH went on air in 1953, and both his wife and son worked there for stints.
Throughout the years, Roger received numerous awards and accolades for his television work. As much as he appreciated those, it was the experiences he loved the most. He was an avid (ok, truly fanatical) Indy Car fan and could recite details about specific races and drivers like no other. His favorite driver was Wichita native Rick Mears. Roger’s favorite interview was getting to talk with Mears in 1990. Roger also enjoyed his down time playing golf and spent many a days on the course.
Roger will be remembered for his sense of humor, sharp wit, love for telling stories, his talent for remembering dates and details, but most of all for his kindness.
Roger is survived by his wife, Wanetta Cornish; son Chad Cornish (Tammara); and daughter Nicole Parsons (Shane); brother Rick Cornish (Tracy) and sister Blair Lanning (David); grandchildren Slade, Troy, Callan and Baby Parsons.
Roger was preceded in death by father Richard Cornish and mother Joan Cornish.
Private services will be held for Roger.
Contributions in Roger's memory may be made to Teaching Truth International, P.O. Box 22331, Robbinsdale, Minnesota 55422 US, https://teachingtruthinternational.org/credit-card-donation/.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MyLakeviewFuneralHome.com for the Cornish family.
