Russ Kane dies

Russ Kane, former city editor, copy editor, promotions director, died Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009 in the VA hospital in Palo Alto, Calif. His daughter Barbara was at his side, holding his hand when he died at 3:30 p.m., according to his son Rob. Russ had had a stroke in late November.

Here's the link to the obit by Tom Feran:

www.cleveland.com/obituaries/index.ssf/2009/12/russell_kane_former_plain_deal.html

Still more to learn at 90

Jean Elsner, the wife of the late editorial writer Sid Elsner, got a nice front page story on Wed, Dec. 12, about her still taking classes at CSU at age 90:

"Jean Elsner , 90, of South Euclid, is a life-long bookworm and has been taking classes at Clev for the last 27 years. Sunday, Dec. 13, 2009, CSU will present her with a special medal during the graduation ceremony. Elsner graduated the first time in 1941 from Ohio University. Elsner, who has never driven a car, still takes the bus to her classes. "

For the rest of the story:

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/12/at_90_cleveland_state_universi.html

Harry West revisited

Pat and Ralph Gessler had breakfast with Harry West at the Paris hotel in Las Vegas in September. West, a former features editor, isn't golfing anymore but loves keno, says Pat, a former news editor/systems guru. Ralph, a former printer, is still working in circulation.

Russ Kane has stroke

Russ Kane, who had a stroke Nov. 25, is in Palo Alto, Calif. VA hospital . He's in building 100, ward 4A, the hospice unit. Russ was a city editor and Sunday Magazine editor, among other positions.

His son Rob Adams-Kane, a former PD copyaide, says "he's surrounded by grandkids and others and getting as many visitors as he can stand. From time to time he throws them all out, via minute but unmistakable gestures. He's very weak. Russell has chosen to not receive significant nutrition or hydration since his move to the VA.

The address is 3801 Miranda Ave., Palo Alto CA, 94304.

Rob says Russell is "greatly enjoying the stories in John Tidyman's new book, Gimme Rewrite Sweetheart, which we're reading aloud for him. "