Former journalist, PR veteran, Automotive News staff member Dick Plumb dies at 97

Charles R. “Dick” Plumb, who headed general public relations for Rockwell International’s automotive device for extra than two many years, died peacefully at his residence in South Carolina on May well 8. He was 97.

Early in his occupation, Plumb labored as a reporter and editor for various small day-to-day and weekly newspapers in Michigan, like The Michigan Every day, Huron County Tribune and South Macomb News. He then joined the Detroit Absolutely free Press, the place he held different editorial roles, including copy editor and makeup editor.

In 1963, Plumb joined Automotive News as a personnel reporter and editor. He later served as director of marketing and advertising for the publication.

Plumb transitioned to company communications in 1969 when he was employed by Rockwell Worldwide and uncovered his legitimate experienced calling. He finally grew to become director of communications for Rockwell’s light motor vehicle factors small business (subsequently bought by Meritor, which now is remaining acquired by Cummins).

Plumb was the consummate, previous faculty PR male regarded for his memorable press trips — including once-a-year Indy 500 outings — and creating lengthy-lasting relationships with journalists, lots of of whom grew to become lifelong mates.

“I initially satisfied Dick when he was a staffer at Automotive News and I was business editor of the Free of charge Push someday during the 1960s. Not extensive just after Dick designed the leap to PR with Rockwell, which is the place I bought to know him effectively.” mentioned longtime Detroit automotive journalist Dave Smith. “I constantly believed he was between the greatest among the scores of automotive PR folks I labored with: wise, enthusiastic, very educated and a gentleman who in no way strayed much too much from his journalism roots.”

Plumb was born in Yates Middle, Kan., in 1924. He achieved his long term wife Juanita in superior university, where by they played the romantic qualified prospects in a school play and labored on the faculty newspaper collectively. They celebrated their 76th anniversary final calendar year.

After starting off college at the University of Kansas, Plumb enlisted in the U.S. Navy as portion of the V-12 University Schooling software through Entire world War II. Following the war, he earned a bachelor’s diploma in journalism and an MBA from the College of Michigan.

In addition to Juanita, Plumb is survived by little ones Chris (Torres), Rick, Kim (Cahill) and Steve sons-in-legislation Mark Torres and Bob Cahill and grandchildren Laura, Evan, Danielle and Addison.