From the Bluffton News-Banner, June 1, 2010
‘Gentleman' and ‘professional' in the truest sense
By Justin Peeper
When I think about people I know from the "Greatest Generation" — a phrase coined by former NBC newscaster Tom Brokhaw — Eugene "Mac" McCord automatically comes to mind.
He was part of the generation of Americans who lived through the Great Depression, fought in World War II to help defeat evil tyrants, and returned home to take part in the post-war economic boom that helped this country become the international leader it is today.
He also epitomized the personal characteristics of so many great men and women from that generation — integrity, humility, selflessness and dedication.
But above all, he was a gentleman and a professional — as Mark Miller, Joe Smekens and Mayor Ted Ellis recalled last week in a Page 1 account about Mac's 57-year association with The News-Banner.
Mac passed away Wednesday at the Lincoln Hills Health Center in New Albany, Ind. He was 89.
Similar to publisher Mark Miller, I was only fortunate enough to work with Mac for a few years, as he officially retired in July 2003 during my third summer working as a reporter at The News-Banner while on break from college. Joe Smekens, Glen Werling, Barb Barbieri, Paul Beitler and many others around the office knew him much better than I did, as Mac first came to the paper in 1946 when he was just 25 years old.
During the first summer I worked here full time back in 2001, Mac was the court reporter and obituary writer. At the age of 79, he came in every day around 10 a.m. with a banana and cup of yogurt to snack on after he had finished writing that day's obits but before he would walk over to the Courthouse with his notebook and pen. Once there, he would sift through stacks of files, write everything down in his spiral-bound note pad, and then walk back to the office to type up the next day's court news.
I was writing five to six stories a week at the time, and Mac frequently took time to comment on what I had written in that day's paper. He also sat with me from time to time to point out stylistic errors I had made in a story, and an occasional factual error. I mistakenly referred to U.S. 224 as Ind. 224 in one of my first stories about a traffic accident, and Mac gently pointed out the error.
He also sat with me from time to time to offer suggestions on how to "tighten up" my writing — make it more concise. He was always soft spoken and gentle as he showed me ways I could become a stronger writer. I respected his opinion and valued his input, as did everyone around the office.
As a veteran newsman and reporter, Mac had covered about everything there was to write about in Bluffton — from city government to sports. When he began at The News-Banner on July 24, 1946, not long after he had returned from serving overseas in the Army during World War II, there had been a need for a reporter.
The News-Banner was looking for a Democrat to join the paper, because publisher and editor Roger Swaim was a Republican, and so was Orin Craven, the city editor at the time. As an independent newspaper, The News-Banner wanted to maintain balance. Political party affiliations played more of an important role those days. Today Wells County is primarily Republican, but it was Democratic back then.
Mac served as a general news reporter, sports editor, city editor and managing editor during his long tenure here — and everyone I've ever met who knew Mac speaks of his professionalism and accurate reporting.
Mac covered more than 1,000 meetings of city government throughout the years and pounded out countless stories to keep Bluffton and Wells County informed. Most folks don't realize the extent of work it takes to attend government meetings on a regular basis, make sense of complicated budgets and happenings, ask the right questions afterward, and then come back to the office to summarize hours of discussions into a clear and concise article for the next day's paper.
Mac's reporting throughout the years not only keep his readers informed of local government's happenings, but he also allowed the public to keep an eye on those we elect to serve us. He did both with the highest of standards — real journalism, unlike so much of what we see today that claims to be journalism.
But one of the topics we remember Mac most liking to write about was the Bluffton Street Fair. He and his wife Jeanne were even the grand marshals back in 1996. We can only imagine how much he would have loved to see this year's 100th Street Fair.
Like Jim Barbieri and Joe Smekens, Mac helped turn this community into what it is today through his service to Bluffton as a reporter — a place people take pride in calling home. He was a real journalist, a true gentleman and a dedicated professional — an individual I wish I could have spent more time getting to know.
There's no doubt here that he and Jim will both be looking down this fall as Bluffton celebrates its 100th Street Fair — an event we're lucky to celebrate in part because of their efforts over the years to keep it going strong.
‘Gentleman' and ‘professional' in the truest sense
By Justin Peeper
When I think about people I know from the "Greatest Generation" — a phrase coined by former NBC newscaster Tom Brokhaw — Eugene "Mac" McCord automatically comes to mind.
He was part of the generation of Americans who lived through the Great Depression, fought in World War II to help defeat evil tyrants, and returned home to take part in the post-war economic boom that helped this country become the international leader it is today.
He also epitomized the personal characteristics of so many great men and women from that generation — integrity, humility, selflessness and dedication.
But above all, he was a gentleman and a professional — as Mark Miller, Joe Smekens and Mayor Ted Ellis recalled last week in a Page 1 account about Mac's 57-year association with The News-Banner.
Mac passed away Wednesday at the Lincoln Hills Health Center in New Albany, Ind. He was 89.
Similar to publisher Mark Miller, I was only fortunate enough to work with Mac for a few years, as he officially retired in July 2003 during my third summer working as a reporter at The News-Banner while on break from college. Joe Smekens, Glen Werling, Barb Barbieri, Paul Beitler and many others around the office knew him much better than I did, as Mac first came to the paper in 1946 when he was just 25 years old.
During the first summer I worked here full time back in 2001, Mac was the court reporter and obituary writer. At the age of 79, he came in every day around 10 a.m. with a banana and cup of yogurt to snack on after he had finished writing that day's obits but before he would walk over to the Courthouse with his notebook and pen. Once there, he would sift through stacks of files, write everything down in his spiral-bound note pad, and then walk back to the office to type up the next day's court news.
I was writing five to six stories a week at the time, and Mac frequently took time to comment on what I had written in that day's paper. He also sat with me from time to time to point out stylistic errors I had made in a story, and an occasional factual error. I mistakenly referred to U.S. 224 as Ind. 224 in one of my first stories about a traffic accident, and Mac gently pointed out the error.
He also sat with me from time to time to offer suggestions on how to "tighten up" my writing — make it more concise. He was always soft spoken and gentle as he showed me ways I could become a stronger writer. I respected his opinion and valued his input, as did everyone around the office.
As a veteran newsman and reporter, Mac had covered about everything there was to write about in Bluffton — from city government to sports. When he began at The News-Banner on July 24, 1946, not long after he had returned from serving overseas in the Army during World War II, there had been a need for a reporter.
The News-Banner was looking for a Democrat to join the paper, because publisher and editor Roger Swaim was a Republican, and so was Orin Craven, the city editor at the time. As an independent newspaper, The News-Banner wanted to maintain balance. Political party affiliations played more of an important role those days. Today Wells County is primarily Republican, but it was Democratic back then.
Mac served as a general news reporter, sports editor, city editor and managing editor during his long tenure here — and everyone I've ever met who knew Mac speaks of his professionalism and accurate reporting.
Mac covered more than 1,000 meetings of city government throughout the years and pounded out countless stories to keep Bluffton and Wells County informed. Most folks don't realize the extent of work it takes to attend government meetings on a regular basis, make sense of complicated budgets and happenings, ask the right questions afterward, and then come back to the office to summarize hours of discussions into a clear and concise article for the next day's paper.
Mac's reporting throughout the years not only keep his readers informed of local government's happenings, but he also allowed the public to keep an eye on those we elect to serve us. He did both with the highest of standards — real journalism, unlike so much of what we see today that claims to be journalism.
But one of the topics we remember Mac most liking to write about was the Bluffton Street Fair. He and his wife Jeanne were even the grand marshals back in 1996. We can only imagine how much he would have loved to see this year's 100th Street Fair.
Like Jim Barbieri and Joe Smekens, Mac helped turn this community into what it is today through his service to Bluffton as a reporter — a place people take pride in calling home. He was a real journalist, a true gentleman and a dedicated professional — an individual I wish I could have spent more time getting to know.
There's no doubt here that he and Jim will both be looking down this fall as Bluffton celebrates its 100th Street Fair — an event we're lucky to celebrate in part because of their efforts over the years to keep it going strong.
From the Bluffton News-Banner, June 1, 2010
‘Gentleman' and ‘professional' in the truest sense
By Justin Peeper
When I think about people I know from the "Greatest Generation" — a phrase coined by former NBC newscaster Tom Brokhaw — Eugene "Mac" McCord automatically comes to mind.
He was part of the generation of Americans who lived through the Great Depression, fought in World War II to help defeat evil tyrants, and returned home to take part in the post-war economic boom that helped this country become the international leader it is today.
He also epitomized the personal characteristics of so many great men and women from that generation — integrity, humility, selflessness and dedication.
But above all, he was a gentleman and a professional — as Mark Miller, Joe Smekens and Mayor Ted Ellis recalled last week in a Page 1 account about Mac's 57-year association with The News-Banner.
Mac passed away Wednesday at the Lincoln Hills Health Center in New Albany, Ind. He was 89.
Similar to publisher Mark Miller, I was only fortunate enough to work with Mac for a few years, as he officially retired in July 2003 during my third summer working as a reporter at The News-Banner while on break from college. Joe Smekens, Glen Werling, Barb Barbieri, Paul Beitler and many others around the office knew him much better than I did, as Mac first came to the paper in 1946 when he was just 25 years old.
During the first summer I worked here full time back in 2001, Mac was the court reporter and obituary writer. At the age of 79, he came in every day around 10 a.m. with a banana and cup of yogurt to snack on after he had finished writing that day's obits but before he would walk over to the Courthouse with his notebook and pen. Once there, he would sift through stacks of files, write everything down in his spiral-bound note pad, and then walk back to the office to type up the next day's court news.
I was writing five to six stories a week at the time, and Mac frequently took time to comment on what I had written in that day's paper. He also sat with me from time to time to point out stylistic errors I had made in a story, and an occasional factual error. I mistakenly referred to U.S. 224 as Ind. 224 in one of my first stories about a traffic accident, and Mac gently pointed out the error.
He also sat with me from time to time to offer suggestions on how to "tighten up" my writing — make it more concise. He was always soft spoken and gentle as he showed me ways I could become a stronger writer. I respected his opinion and valued his input, as did everyone around the office.
As a veteran newsman and reporter, Mac had covered about everything there was to write about in Bluffton — from city government to sports. When he began at The News-Banner on July 24, 1946, not long after he had returned from serving overseas in the Army during World War II, there had been a need for a reporter.
The News-Banner was looking for a Democrat to join the paper, because publisher and editor Roger Swaim was a Republican, and so was Orin Craven, the city editor at the time. As an independent newspaper, The News-Banner wanted to maintain balance. Political party affiliations played more of an important role those days. Today Wells County is primarily Republican, but it was Democratic back then.
Mac served as a general news reporter, sports editor, city editor and managing editor during his long tenure here — and everyone I've ever met who knew Mac speaks of his professionalism and accurate reporting.
Mac covered more than 1,000 meetings of city government throughout the years and pounded out countless stories to keep Bluffton and Wells County informed. Most folks don't realize the extent of work it takes to attend government meetings on a regular basis, make sense of complicated budgets and happenings, ask the right questions afterward, and then come back to the office to summarize hours of discussions into a clear and concise article for the next day's paper.
Mac's reporting throughout the years not only keep his readers informed of local government's happenings, but he also allowed the public to keep an eye on those we elect to serve us. He did both with the highest of standards — real journalism, unlike so much of what we see today that claims to be journalism.
But one of the topics we remember Mac most liking to write about was the Bluffton Street Fair. He and his wife Jeanne were even the grand marshals back in 1996. We can only imagine how much he would have loved to see this year's 100th Street Fair.
Like Jim Barbieri and Joe Smekens, Mac helped turn this community into what it is today through his service to Bluffton as a reporter — a place people take pride in calling home. He was a real journalist, a true gentleman and a dedicated professional — an individual I wish I could have spent more time getting to know.
There's no doubt here that he and Jim will both be looking down this fall as Bluffton celebrates its 100th Street Fair — an event we're lucky to celebrate in part because of their efforts over the years to keep it going strong.
‘Gentleman' and ‘professional' in the truest sense
By Justin Peeper
When I think about people I know from the "Greatest Generation" — a phrase coined by former NBC newscaster Tom Brokhaw — Eugene "Mac" McCord automatically comes to mind.
He was part of the generation of Americans who lived through the Great Depression, fought in World War II to help defeat evil tyrants, and returned home to take part in the post-war economic boom that helped this country become the international leader it is today.
He also epitomized the personal characteristics of so many great men and women from that generation — integrity, humility, selflessness and dedication.
But above all, he was a gentleman and a professional — as Mark Miller, Joe Smekens and Mayor Ted Ellis recalled last week in a Page 1 account about Mac's 57-year association with The News-Banner.
Mac passed away Wednesday at the Lincoln Hills Health Center in New Albany, Ind. He was 89.
Similar to publisher Mark Miller, I was only fortunate enough to work with Mac for a few years, as he officially retired in July 2003 during my third summer working as a reporter at The News-Banner while on break from college. Joe Smekens, Glen Werling, Barb Barbieri, Paul Beitler and many others around the office knew him much better than I did, as Mac first came to the paper in 1946 when he was just 25 years old.
During the first summer I worked here full time back in 2001, Mac was the court reporter and obituary writer. At the age of 79, he came in every day around 10 a.m. with a banana and cup of yogurt to snack on after he had finished writing that day's obits but before he would walk over to the Courthouse with his notebook and pen. Once there, he would sift through stacks of files, write everything down in his spiral-bound note pad, and then walk back to the office to type up the next day's court news.
I was writing five to six stories a week at the time, and Mac frequently took time to comment on what I had written in that day's paper. He also sat with me from time to time to point out stylistic errors I had made in a story, and an occasional factual error. I mistakenly referred to U.S. 224 as Ind. 224 in one of my first stories about a traffic accident, and Mac gently pointed out the error.
He also sat with me from time to time to offer suggestions on how to "tighten up" my writing — make it more concise. He was always soft spoken and gentle as he showed me ways I could become a stronger writer. I respected his opinion and valued his input, as did everyone around the office.
As a veteran newsman and reporter, Mac had covered about everything there was to write about in Bluffton — from city government to sports. When he began at The News-Banner on July 24, 1946, not long after he had returned from serving overseas in the Army during World War II, there had been a need for a reporter.
The News-Banner was looking for a Democrat to join the paper, because publisher and editor Roger Swaim was a Republican, and so was Orin Craven, the city editor at the time. As an independent newspaper, The News-Banner wanted to maintain balance. Political party affiliations played more of an important role those days. Today Wells County is primarily Republican, but it was Democratic back then.
Mac served as a general news reporter, sports editor, city editor and managing editor during his long tenure here — and everyone I've ever met who knew Mac speaks of his professionalism and accurate reporting.
Mac covered more than 1,000 meetings of city government throughout the years and pounded out countless stories to keep Bluffton and Wells County informed. Most folks don't realize the extent of work it takes to attend government meetings on a regular basis, make sense of complicated budgets and happenings, ask the right questions afterward, and then come back to the office to summarize hours of discussions into a clear and concise article for the next day's paper.
Mac's reporting throughout the years not only keep his readers informed of local government's happenings, but he also allowed the public to keep an eye on those we elect to serve us. He did both with the highest of standards — real journalism, unlike so much of what we see today that claims to be journalism.
But one of the topics we remember Mac most liking to write about was the Bluffton Street Fair. He and his wife Jeanne were even the grand marshals back in 1996. We can only imagine how much he would have loved to see this year's 100th Street Fair.
Like Jim Barbieri and Joe Smekens, Mac helped turn this community into what it is today through his service to Bluffton as a reporter — a place people take pride in calling home. He was a real journalist, a true gentleman and a dedicated professional — an individual I wish I could have spent more time getting to know.
There's no doubt here that he and Jim will both be looking down this fall as Bluffton celebrates its 100th Street Fair — an event we're lucky to celebrate in part because of their efforts over the years to keep it going strong.
Family Members
Siblings
Children
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
