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

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

Early in his job, Plumb labored as a reporter and editor for numerous compact every day and weekly newspapers in Michigan, like The Michigan Each day, Huron County Tribune and South Macomb Information. He then joined the Detroit Cost-free Press, where by he held several editorial roles, like copy editor and makeup editor.

In 1963, Plumb joined Automotive News as a staff members 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 International and discovered his real professional calling. He inevitably became director of communications for Rockwell’s mild car or truck components business enterprise (subsequently ordered by Meritor, which now is remaining obtained by Cummins).

Plumb was the consummate, previous college PR dude regarded for his memorable push trips — such as yearly Indy 500 outings — and constructing extensive-lasting interactions with journalists, numerous of whom became lifelong mates.

“I initial fulfilled Dick when he was a staffer at Automotive News and I was small business editor of the Totally free Push sometime all through the 1960s. Not extensive soon after Dick built the leap to PR with Rockwell, which is where by I bought to know him effectively.” reported longtime Detroit automotive journalist Dave Smith. “I constantly assumed he was amongst the greatest among the scores of automotive PR individuals I labored with: good, enthusiastic, exceptionally well-informed and a gentleman who by no means strayed also much from his journalism roots.”

Plumb was born in Yates Heart, Kan., in 1924. He achieved his long run wife Juanita in significant college, where by they played the passionate sales opportunities in a university enjoy and worked on the university newspaper with each other. They celebrated their 76th anniversary final calendar year.

Following setting up college at the University of Kansas, Plumb enlisted in the U.S. Navy as part of the V-12 Higher education Education program all through World War II. Immediately after the war, he earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and an MBA from the College of Michigan.

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