YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - A valley icon, trusted colleague and dear friend were just some of the phrases used to describe former WFMJ anchor Bob Black as he was one of three inducted into the Youngstown Press Club's Hall of Fame Wednesday evening at Stambaugh Auditorium.

Bob was WFMJ's 6 and 11 p.m. anchor for nearly 20 year's before his retirement in 2015, winning several awards for his coverage on stories including Congressman Jim Traficant, General Motor's Lordstown Plant and the United Autoworkers Union. While Bob passed away in 2017, his wife, Coleen and daughters Lindsay and Molly accepted the prestigious award for him.

"He put his heart into his job. That's the way he was," said Coleen Black, Bob's wife to 21 News. "People thought he was honest. Ne was no nonsense. He was serious and he took his job seriously."

"It's special to honor him in this way because he was so devoted to his career and he really valued what he did," said Lindsay Walter, Bob's daughter. 

"It's bittersweet in a way," said Molly Cooper, Bob's daughter. "Sweet that we're able to share this together in honor of him and a little bitter just because he's missed by us and by the community." 

"It's really nice to hear other people appreciate someone that is irreplaceable in your life and that's truly what we feel he is," Walter said. "We just can't even put that into words."

WFMJ's General Manager Jack Grdic presented the award to Bob's family, telling classic stories of Bob and describing the legacy he's left on Youngstown journalism.

"He really left an indelible mark on the Valley," said Jack Grdic, WFMJ's General Manager. "Also for our younger journalists in our station. Bob is someone to look up to and aspire to be. He was just an incredible leader."

Bob was a dedicated journalist who left an impact on the entire WFMJ family as we continue his mark he left at our station.

"We miss him dearly and it's so nice to have an event like this recognize Bob and his achievements," Grdic said. "We're thrilled to be here tonight and we appreciate the Youngstown Press Club for honoring Bob."

Other 2021 Hall of Fame recipients included Stan Boney, anchor and reporter for WKBN and Ralph Zerbonia, creator of the Youngstown Business Journal. 

The Vindicator Printing Company received the Youngstown Press Club's First Amendment Award.