Last Updated: March 02, 1999
Printer-friendly version
An American Editor
Birthday: Sept. 19, 1941
Hometown: Seattle
Family status: Married to Susan, no children
Self-portrait: A small-newspaper editor who loves his job
Inspiration: The late Hu Blonk, managing editor of the Wenatchee
(Wash.) Daily World, my first boss, who seemed to know knew everything
about his community and made it clear that accuracy was not optional; an
editor who never thought being a small newspaper meant being an inferior
newspaper.
Greatest feat: Participation on the IRE team that went to Phoenix
in 1976 following the murder of Don Bolles.
Bad habit: Starting tasks, and not finishing them — at least
until deadline.
Luxury defined: Breaking 90 on the golf course. Never happened.
Most dangerous story: An investigation for The Hartford Courant
on criminal involvement in a major construction project in the 1960s. A
few threats and other concerns.
Best story: The investigation of a corrupt county executive for
The Milwaukee Journal. I tracked down witnesses in Mexico and traced the
county executive to the Caribbean, where he using a false name and partying
with his mistress, while claiming to be at a meeting of the National Association
of Counties. Second best: Coverage by the La Crosse (Wis.) Tribune of Cuban
refugees who were resettled at an Army base in western Wisconsin. Officials
tried to hide the crimes at the refugee center, including several cases
of rape, but good investigative work revealed it. A great success story
for a small paper.
My newspaper’s strength: A dedicated staff that responds to the
big story.
Most admired editor: I’ve worked for lots of good ones, including
Joe Shoquist in Milwaukee and Irving Kravsow in Hartford. But Hu Blonk
stands out for taking the time to train a young reporter.
Favorite comic: “Dilbert”
Favorite columnist: David Broder
Best part of job: Working hands-on with reporters and editors;
helping them report better, write better and fill holes in stories. Getting
to know the community and being (I hope) a useful contributor to making
it better.
Worst part of job: Administrative chores.
Vacation spot: England, France, the Caribbean — anywhere. I love
to travel.
TV program: Very few.
Books at bedside: I’ve just started Stephen Ambrose’s “D-Day”
and just finished “Survival of the Fittest” by Jonathan Kellerman.
