Harry Smith is retiring from NBC News and returning to Iowa

Iowans won't have to say goodbye to veteran TV journalist Harry Smith as he retires from NBC. The reporter's next journey has him coming back to Iowa.

Smith's final segment aired during the NBC Nightly News on Thursday. He chatted after with anchor Lester Holt and thanked viewers.

"I have nothing but gratitude," Smith said. "Every time I would always come on this show, I was always welcomed so generously. I've had just this unbelievable array of phenomenal experiences since coming to NBC, and so I'm really full of nothing but gratitude. Every time I've come on, everyone would drop their phones, pay attention to the story and then respond."

More: It wasn't just cornfields when national media came to Iowa for Field of Dreams coverage

Who is Harry Smith?

Smith is regarded as one of television's "most distinguished journalists" and has served as a news anchor for more than 30 years.

Smith started at NBC in 2011 after hosting morning shows on CBS News for 17 years. Smith got his start in broadcast at Denver stations KHOW and KIMN. He also worked for Denver's public television station. He joined CBS News in 1986 and became a correspondent in 1987, according to his biography on NBC News' website.

During his time with NBC, Smith traveled around the world to tell the stories of real-life people in Chile, Angola and more, according to an interview on the "Today" show. Throughout his career, Smith interviewed schoolchildren, Auschwitz survivors, civil rights pioneers and World War II heroes.

What are Harry Smith's Iowa roots?

Smith was born in Lansing, Illinois outside of Chicago. He came to Iowa for college and graduated with a B.A. degree in communications and theater from Central College in Pella.

Where is Harry Smith going after retirement from NBC?

As part of his retirement announcement from NBC, Smith also shared he will begin teaching at his alma mater. Smith will start in his new role in the fall. He will teach a class on curiosity at Central College.

How did the 'Today' show crew respond to Harry Smith's retirement?

"We are all better (because of) you, as are our viewers," Al Roker said.

"Harry, you have to write," Savannah Guthrie said. "It's your mission, it's your gift. You're a wonderful colleague. We love you, we will miss you every single day, and you better keep in touch."

Kate Kealey is a general assignment reporter for the Register. Reach her at kkealey@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter at @Kkealey17.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Harry Smith retires from NBC but is coming to Iowa. What's next?