[ad_1]
An accomplished newspaper reporter and longtime editor of the Register-Mail newspaper, he is remembered not only for making the National Stearman Fly-in a signature Galesburg event, but also for his influence on local journalism.
Robert F. “Bob” Harrison died Monday in Ankeny, Iowa, after 38 years at the Register-Mail, including 27 years as managing editor and head of the newsroom. His family said the cause of death was complications from respiratory syncytial virus. He was 83 years old.
Harrison also worked as a reporter and photographer during his 50-year career at the Register-Mail, from 1963 until his retirement in May 2001.
“Bob was an excellent journalist and a good judge of talent,” said Don Cooper, who was the Publisher of the Register-Mail from 1990 to 2008.
“We took turns writing editorials for the newspaper for several years, and I always appreciated the insight and background he brought to local issues.
“Bob Harrison was one of Galesburg’s “good guys.” He left a legacy in the town and he will be missed. ”
Contributing to the success of the Stearman Fly-in
In addition to his long tenure at Register-Mail, Harrison was also instrumental in the success of the National Stearman Fly-in, held each September in Galesburg. Mr. Harrison, a certified commercial pilot, is a former president and served on the board from 1974 until his retirement at the end of his 50th flight in 2022.
Harrell Timmons, former Fly-In chairman and current board member, said Harrison played a key role in developing the concept for the new International Stearman Community Center at the Galesburg Municipal Airport.
“Bob recognized the ultimate community benefit of a now world-renowned organization and event like the National Stearman Fly-in,” Timmons said.
“People come from all over the world to our events. It’s become an international event. It’s put Galesburg on the world map for aviation.”
Robert Franklin Harrison was born on May 24, 1940 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. He graduated from Ankeny High School in 1958 and attended Iowa State University before starting his journalism career.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Sharon L. Harrison; sons, Robert D. Harrison and David G. Harrison; sister, Joy E. Harrison; grandchildren, Samuel J., Riley J., and Henry W.; and his granddaughter Elizabeth M. Harrison.
John Pritchard was publisher of The Register-Mail from 1977 to 1989. During this period, the newsroom was staffed by more than 20 reporters, photographers, and editors.
“Bob was a newspaper reporter. A typical newspaper reporter,” Pritchard said. “He always told me great stories, but I didn’t know which ones to believe and which ones not to believe.
“What he was really good at was being able to sniff out unfair information from the facts. He was interested in everyone being as fair and impartial as possible.”
“A typical unfriendly newspaper editor”
Rob Buck, who held multiple positions at the Register-Mail from 1989 to 2019, including reporter, copy editor and local news editor, described Mr Harrison as “a typical brusque newspaper editor”.
“He and associate editor Norma Cunningham were my primary mentors when I joined the Register-Mail in 1989,” Buck said. “While Norma taught me how to write stories, Bob taught me how to write a story, while Bob taught me the AP (Associated Press) style and establishing a register email for things like arrests, traffic accidents, theft, vandalism, obituaries, etc. We were particular about the format.
“He honed my attention to editorial detail.”
Those who have worked with Harrison can imagine the editor in his usual attire: button-down dress shirt (usually light blue), tie, and slacks (usually khakis). He always carried a metal pica pole, which he tucked into his back pants pocket when not in use.
Buck remembered Harrison’s dry sense of humor.
“I still remember my first performance review, and I remember when I was told I would get a raise, probably after I was promoted to regional editor,” Buck said.
“He said, ‘I’ll give you some more money…buy me a tie.'”
“Is there a skeleton in your closet?”
For decades, Mr. Harrison coordinated the Register-Mail Editorial Board meetings, where editors and publishers interviewed candidates running for local and state office. These meetings ultimately led to the paper’s endorsement of individual candidates and issues.
“Bob and I spent dozens of hours together during each election, interviewing every candidate for every office,” Cooper said. “He was the originator of the ‘skeleton in your closet’ question that every candidate asks, no matter who they are or what position they’re seeking. ‘What’s in your closet? Are there any skeletons that, if known, would embarrass you or make you regret supporting them?’ ?’
“There were some interesting findings in the responses.”
Cooper noted that Harrison advanced journalistic excellence through his involvement as editor-in-chief of the Illinois Associated Press. He served on the group’s board of directors and hosted the group’s annual meeting in Galesburg.
Kay Shipman-Swiech was an agriculture reporter for the Register-Mail in the early 1980s. She helped Harrison launch her long career in journalism, which included serving as an agricultural business reporter for Peoria’s Journal Star and ending as legislative affairs editor for Farm Week, the Illinois Farm Bureau’s statewide newspaper. I believe you did.
“Harrison — we always called him Harrison — was my first editor, so he set the standard for my 40-year career in journalism,” Shipman-Sweech said. said. “Being a farm kid in Iowa, he was particularly interested in my work as a farm business reporter.
“He was fair and supported me when someone complained about the accurate story. We’ve hired a solid group of new reporters.”
Shipman Sweech said Harrison was fast.
“Harrison, a talented newspaper reporter, acted quickly when he learned that the Juds had canceled their show at the Knox County Fair just before the deadline,” Shipman Sweech said. “With a huge grin on his face, he yelled, ‘Please stop the printing presses!'” That was the only time I ever heard that.
“Thank you, Harrison. Rest in peace.”
He started many journalism careers.
Dozens of other reporters can share similar stories of how Harrison helped launch their journalism careers.
Andrea Vitale, who worked as a reporter for the Register-Mail from 1973 to 1978, recalled how Harrison tried out for a newspaper just out of the University of Missouri.
“Bob was reluctant to hire a female City Hall reporter because the Register-Mail had never had one,” Vitale said. “Norma Cunningham was playing county beat, but City Hall was primo beat, and it was always a man’s thing.
“The younger guys, Jim O’Connor (assistant editor) and Mike Johnson (editor), may have convinced him to hire me. They managed to convince him.”
Vitale added, “There were times when he was very mean, but we got along well. He was like an old-time newspaperman, which was fun.”
Galesburg native Ken Johnson began his career at The Register-Mail while attending Knox College. Johnson started out as a sports reporter and then became a news reporter, serving as wire editor and business editor under Harrison in the early 1970s.
“Bob was instrumental in my development as a young journalist, and I am forever grateful to him.” — Ken Johnson, former Register-Mail reporter
“Bob was instrumental in my development as a young journalist, and I am forever grateful to him,” Johnson said. Mr. Johnson began his career in television journalism, after which he became press secretary for two major committees in Congress while working with the Replication leadership. He is in the US House of Representatives.
“I started working at The Register-Mail when I was 16 years old, and he taught me skills that have served me well throughout my career. But he was more than just my boss and mentor. He was a trusted and respected friend. He could have been an editor at any newspaper in America, and he was very good at it. But he loved Galesburg and the Midwest and remained loyal to it his whole life. He continued: “We have lost a true giant.”
Mike Trueblood, who was the Register-Mail’s sports editor for almost 40 years from 1979 to 2019, said: “Bob hired me in 1978 and I will always be grateful. He was a brilliant newspaper reporter, an insightful journalist, and a wonderful boss. I owe him a lot.”
I’m speechless right now,” said Kent Kriegshauser, a former Register-Mail photographer. “But I call Bob my editor, my boss, and my friend. Of all those titles, ‘Friend’ is my favorite.”
My thoughts: Bob is a legend of RM characters
And count me among the dozens who started their careers under Bob, having spent many years as a reporter and editor at the Register-Mail before finding his way into radio.
As many of his former colleagues and bosses at the Register-Mail have said, Bob was a newspaper reporter. He’s a little (sometimes a lot) gruff, serious, dedicated and determined to make our award-winning daily newspaper the best it can be.
He will be remembered as one of the true legends among the many notable people who worked at The Register-Mail.
After retiring from the newspaper business, Bob slowed down, but his fierce passion and love for the National Stearman Fly-in never waned. Over the years, he used his connections with The Register-Mail to help promote the event. As Don would say, Bob was Mr. Stearman.
Rest in peace, Bob.
For those who would like to collect and share their memories of Bob, a celebration of life event is planned for late April.
[ad_2]
Source link
