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 far more than two decades, died peacefully at his residence in South Carolina on May possibly 8. He was 97.

Early in his vocation, Plumb worked as a reporter and editor for numerous smaller each day and weekly newspapers in Michigan, such as The Michigan Every day, Huron County Tribune and South Macomb News. He then joined the Detroit Free of charge Push, where he held several editorial roles, including copy editor and make-up editor.

In 1963, Plumb joined Automotive Information as a employees reporter and editor. He later on served as director of promoting for the publication.

Plumb transitioned to company communications in 1969 when he was employed by Rockwell Global and discovered his accurate expert calling. He inevitably became director of communications for Rockwell’s gentle car or truck elements small business (subsequently ordered by Meritor, which now is being acquired by Cummins).

Plumb was the consummate, previous college PR person acknowledged for his memorable push outings — like once-a-year Indy 500 outings — and creating long-lasting interactions with journalists, a lot of of whom turned lifelong buddies.

“I 1st satisfied Dick when he was a staffer at Automotive News and I was enterprise editor of the No cost Push someday all through the 1960s. Not extended following Dick created the leap to PR with Rockwell, which is where by I bought to know him effectively.” stated longtime Detroit automotive journalist Dave Smith. “I often thought he was between the finest amid the scores of automotive PR folks I labored with: smart, enthusiastic, really professional and a gentleman who never strayed also much from his journalism roots.”

Plumb was born in Yates Center, Kan., in 1924. He met his potential wife Juanita in higher college, where they played the romantic potential customers in a faculty perform and labored on the faculty newspaper together. They celebrated their 76th anniversary past 12 months.

Just after starting up college at the University of Kansas, Plumb enlisted in the U.S. Navy as element of the V-12 Faculty Teaching plan in the course of Globe War II. After the war, he earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and an MBA from the University of Michigan.

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