Diane Marie Ronnau

Longtime CBS News producer and San Pedro resident, Diane Ronnau, has died. Ronnau fought a valiant battle with pancreatic cancer for more than 16 years, She was 60 years old.

She was born in Los Angeles to Gloria Becnel Ronnau and Donald Joseph Ronnau and is survived by sons Aidan and Ben Osterman, mother Gloria, sisters Ann (Derald) Sidler and Carol Randolph and brother Don Ronnau; nieces and nephews Tracy Sidler, Jennifer Randolph, Vince (Krystal) and Chris Randolph, Jackson, Juliana, Jillian, Devin and Tristan. Survived also by her beloved cousin Jill Struck Kirby and family, and many loving cousins.

Diane is a graduate of Bishop Montgomery High School in Redondo Beach and UC Berkeley. She started her career in our nation’s capital, working at the Smithsonian Museum before becoming a journalist. Diane eventually worked her way to CBS News, where she was a producer for 30 years, at 48 Hours, CBS Morning News, Sunday Morning, and for the past 20 years, the CBS Evening News in the Los Angeles Bureau.

The breadth and depth of her coverage were astounding — from forest fires to political campaigns and everything in-between — including most recently, a primetime special on the conviction of police officer Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd. She never let her stage-4 cancer diagnosis and the grueling treatments stop her.

Diane’s twin sons Aidan and Ben were the center of her life. She said that’s what kept her alive. In a 2007 CBS News Sunday Morning interview, Diane said "I choose not to be identified by cancer. I choose to be identified as a working mother. Going to work, being a mother, producing a story, covering a presidential campaign, setting up interviews — it’s more rewarding, it’s more fulfilling to persevere through those things than it is to become lost in being a cancer victim.”

Her sister Ann said that even though Diane lived on the East Coast for a couple of decades, she rarely missed a family event — showing up on their vacations, as they showed up on hers.

At work, Diane’s colleagues were in awe of her focus and fortitude. Former CBS News President and 48 Hours Executive Producer Susan Zirinsky called Ronnau a "superior journalist" who “could take on any challenge on any broadcast."

CBS Evening News Executive Producer Adam Verdugo concurred. "Diane was a fighter — a no-nonsense journalist with an unmatched perseverance and wit. I was always struck by her indefatigable spirit."
CBS Evening News National Correspondent Lee Cowan summed it all up: "She taught us all not only about journalism, but how to live. She was one of a kind."

Funeral Service Friday, July 29 at 9:30 AM at St. Monica’s Catholic Church, 701 California Avenue, Santa Monica. Reception to follow. There will be a Rosary at 9:00 AM for those who wish to participate.

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