Doug McConnell dies at 80; noted TV journalist was host of Bay Area Backroads'

"The OpenRoad staff announced Wednesday that Mr. McConnell struggled with health problems after a stroke in 2023. His coworkers at OpenRoad described him as a human golden retriever in their tribute on social media. He made friends wherever he went, the staff said. He was the best road trip companion you could have, the biggest optimist we ever met, a human GPS with a steel trap memory, friendly to a fault, knowledgeable about most any subject, and filled the world with enthusiastic positivity."

"Mr. McConnell dedicated much of his television career to introducing viewers to the Bay Area's landscapes and small towns. He focused on the region's beauty in Bay Area Backroads for 23 years. OpenRoad will begin its 12th season on Saturday. In addition to television, Mr. McConnell promoted land conservation around San Francisco Bay and served in the nonprofit San Francisco Baykeeper. Marin Humane honored him as a humanitarian of the year, and the San Francisco Bay Trail Project recognized him as a volunteer of the year."

"Mr. McConnell recalled his earliest memory of visiting San Francisco Bay in a 2017 video for a fundraiser that benefited the land conservancy nonprofit Save the Bay. He reminisced about smelling the sea air and viewing the Marin Headlands and the Golden Gate Bridge. It was hard not to fall in love with it, he said."

Doug McConnell, 80, died Jan. 13 of natural causes in San Geronimo after struggling with health problems following a 2023 stroke. He lived in Corte Madera and hosted Bay Area Backroads on KRON for 23 years and OpenRoad with Doug McConnell and Friends on NBC Bay Area, with OpenRoad beginning its 12th season. He promoted land conservation around San Francisco Bay, served with the nonprofit San Francisco Baykeeper, and supported fundraisers for Save the Bay. Coworkers described him as optimistic, fiercely friendly, knowledgeable, and an ideal road-trip companion. He received honors from Marin Humane and the San Francisco Bay Trail Project.

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