Van's obit

Here's Michael Sangiacomo's obit on Van.


Van Richmond was never comfortable in the limelight. Even though Plain Dealer readers saw his work for more than 30 years, they rarely saw his name.

Richmond, 85, of Rocky River, who died Wednesday after complications from kidney problems, was the Page One editor at the newspaper for many years until his retirement on March 1, 1994.

The day Richmond retired, he slipped out the back door of the newsroom, eschewing the usual punch and platitudes. Chuck Caton, who worked with Richmond for years and assumed some of his duties, informed the rest of the newsroom with a simple email: "Elvis has left the building."

Born in Chicago, Richmond lived in Wisconsin and Bergen N.Y., before joining the Army in 1943.

After leaving the service, he went to Villanova University, near Philadelphia, and majored in engineering until a Jesuit priest gave him some advice.

"He said the priest told him he was a pretty good writer but not so hot in engineering and suggested a career change," said his widow, Elizabeth. "He transferred to the University of Iowa, switched to journalism and graduated in 1950."

Richmond worked at the Rockford Register Republic in Rockford, Ill., for 10 years before taking a job at The Plain Dealer in 1960.

He worked in several editing positions at the Plain Dealer before becoming Page One editor.

Caton, now the newspaper's assistant news editor, said Richmond helped make the newsroom an interesting place.

"He was a rock, a feisty guy with strong opinions," Caton said. "He was quick to let his opinions be known but put them aside when it came down to the front page. There, he was always straight down the line. He was a blue-collar guy from Chicago who just wanted to do his job."

Another associate, Rosemary Kovacs, said she learned her craft from Richmond.

"He was a great editor and teacher," she said. "He tried to act like an old curmudgeon, but underneath he was a softy."

In addition to his widow, he is survived by his son, Jerome, of Lakewood, and daughter, Anne, of Harrisonburg, Va.; his stepchildren, Michelle Miller of Rocky River; James Anderson of Westlake and Kathryn Harttrup of Seattle; and eight grandchildren. His first wife, Jean, died in 1989.

A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at Lakewood Baptist Church, 14321 Detroit Avenue.

Curt Chandler, former photographer, recalls:I'll never forget the look on Van's face the night I ran across the top of his desk to get from my spot inside the rim to edit a breaking news picture inside the photo lab. He was a newsroom icon.


Here's a remembrance by Bill Lucey: http://www.billlucey.com/2010/12/recollections-of-plain-dealer-page-one-editor-van-richmond.html