| Show UTAH PRESS ASSOCIATION 37 on the death of McKay YetF had already devel opedclose if professional rapport with every Tribune staff er stern taskmaster who simply wanted -and would getgood newspaper made better each day He was equally adept at the stinging rebuke and the comforting compliment He is remembered as well for the kindness and generosity quietly extended to employees in need Like Kearns before him Fitzpatrick hadlimited educa tion He did graduate from high school in Burlington where his father railroad engineer moved the family after jobs dried up in Pennsylvania F was always fascinated by railroading and except for the chance and briefRG assignment to Salt Lake and the incidental exposure to Tom Kearns seemed destined forcareer with trains and routine gold-watch retirement some where in lowa Instead he found his natural niche in Utah became Mr Tribune an architect and first president of Newspaper Agency Corporation towering community leader and arbiter an influential and inspirational publisher who fashionedPulitzer Prize newspaper He died quietly at home ofheart attack at 73 onbeautiful late-summer day in 1960 after watching the Utah Open Golf Tournament at the Salt Lake Country Club His picture was on the TribunePagethe next morning He would never have allowed it But he would have likely agreed with the eulogy by Bishop Robert Dwyer at the funeral If we seek the keynote of his life its leit-motiv there is only one term that is adequate and inevitable stewardship John Fitzpatrick epitomized the good steward He sought to be nothing else but became much more He was also man for whom Halls of Fame are created and made worthwhile for preserving memories of great works The Hall of Fame conveys its appreciation to JerryBrien assistant publisher of the Salt Lake Tribune for his research and preparation of the foregoing copy which was presented before the Utah Press Association in convention assembled on February 10 1979 502 Digital image 2005 Marriott Library University of Utah Al rights reserved |
