MADERA - Harry A. Nordwick, a newspaperman for 35 years, died July 18, 2013 at the age of 86 in Madera, CA. He was born in Medford, OR on July 24, 1926. Prior to retiring in 1985, he was managing editor of the Salinas Californian for 15 years. Previously, for 10 years, he was city editor, wire editor and editorial writer. After retiring, he returned to Madera in 1989.Mr. Nordwick was editor of the Madera Daily Tribune from 1955 to 1961. Prior to that he worked on the Medford Mail Tribune as reporter/photographer and was editor of the Southern Oregon News Review in Ashland, OR.
The Oregon native attended schools in Medford where he was active in student government and was elected Governor of Boys State in Corvallis in 1943. He graduated from the University of Arizona in 1950 with a degree in public administration. Also, Mr. Nordwick was an active member of the Arizona Wildcat newspaper staff. During summers he was a fire control officer at Crater Lake National Park.
For 35 years Mr. Nordwick was active in community affairs and served in leadership positions both in Madera and Salinas. Included were the Better Madera Committee, Madera Little League, Madera County Historical Society, American Red Cross, Salinas United Way, Salinas Salvation Army Advisory Board, Monterey County Housing Council, Salinas Family Emergency Shelter, and others. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Madera, St. Ansgar's Lutheran Church in Salinas and Rotary and Elks in both cities.
Active in journalistic work, he was one of the founding directors and charter members of the California Society of Newspaper Editors, and member of the Freedom of Information Committee. Mr. Nordwick was the last chairman of the Stanford Editors Conference in 1983, predecessor to the Society. He, also, was a member of the Society of Professional Journalists since 1960.
Mr. Nordwick called himself a community journalist, adding, "I'm not a New York Times Type." Wherever he worked, he was an editorial writer and columnist. While on the smaller newspapers, he turned out an editorial a day or week, as required, to provide a local voice.
Mr. Nordwick's interests included traveling, music appreciation, reading and golf.
Mr. Nordwick's first wife, Janet, died of cancer in 1977 after 26 years of marriage. Survivors include three children by that marriage: Karen Holaday of Sacramento, husband Mark; Brian Nordwick of Hollister, wife Sheila; and Larry Nordwick, partner John of Monterey.
Mr. Nordwick remarried in 1978. His wife, Elizabeth (Lif), survives, as well as four children by a previous marriage: Jennifer Schmit of Redding, husband John; Christopher Houle of San Martin, wife Julie; Mark Houle of Salinas, wife Marianne; and Lisa Houle of Salinas. Mr. Nordwick and Elizabeth celebrated their 34th wedding anniversary on November 10, 2012.
Twelve grandchildren also survive. They are: Ryan Holaday of Sacramento; Lindsey Andrighetto of Denver; Sarah Nordwick of Campbell; Jared Schmit of Atlanta; Jessica Schmit of Sacramento; Haley, Christopher and Hanna Houle of San Martin; Wesley and Jacob Houle and Ryan D'Arrigo of Salinas; and Tess Houle of Salinas. Mr. Nordwick is also survived by 5 great-grandchildren.
Mr. Nordwick was preceded in death by his parents, Phina Anderson Nordwick and H.F. Nordwick, of Oregon. His sister, Christine Young of Oregon also survives.
A celebration of life will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Madera on Thursday, July 25th at 11am. Burial will be private. Gifts of remembrance can be made to either Trinity Lutheran Church or the Madera Noon Rotary Scholarship Program.
For 35 years Mr. Nordwick was active in community affairs and served in leadership positions both in Madera and Salinas. Included were the Better Madera Committee, Madera Little League, Madera County Historical Society, American Red Cross, Salinas United Way, Salinas Salvation Army Advisory Board, Monterey County Housing Council, Salinas Family Emergency Shelter, and others. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Madera, St. Ansgar's Lutheran Church in Salinas and Rotary and Elks in both cities.
Active in journalistic work, he was one of the founding directors and charter members of the California Society of Newspaper Editors, and member of the Freedom of Information Committee. Mr. Nordwick was the last chairman of the Stanford Editors Conference in 1983, predecessor to the Society. He, also, was a member of the Society of Professional Journalists since 1960.
Mr. Nordwick called himself a community journalist, adding, "I'm not a New York Times Type." Wherever he worked, he was an editorial writer and columnist. While on the smaller newspapers, he turned out an editorial a day or week, as required, to provide a local voice.
Mr. Nordwick's interests included traveling, music appreciation, reading and golf.
Mr. Nordwick's first wife, Janet, died of cancer in 1977 after 26 years of marriage. Survivors include three children by that marriage: Karen Holaday of Sacramento, husband Mark; Brian Nordwick of Hollister, wife Sheila; and Larry Nordwick, partner John of Monterey.
Mr. Nordwick remarried in 1978. His wife, Elizabeth (Lif), survives, as well as four children by a previous marriage: Jennifer Schmit of Redding, husband John; Christopher Houle of San Martin, wife Julie; Mark Houle of Salinas, wife Marianne; and Lisa Houle of Salinas. Mr. Nordwick and Elizabeth celebrated their 34th wedding anniversary on November 10, 2012.
Twelve grandchildren also survive. They are: Ryan Holaday of Sacramento; Lindsey Andrighetto of Denver; Sarah Nordwick of Campbell; Jared Schmit of Atlanta; Jessica Schmit of Sacramento; Haley, Christopher and Hanna Houle of San Martin; Wesley and Jacob Houle and Ryan D'Arrigo of Salinas; and Tess Houle of Salinas. Mr. Nordwick is also survived by 5 great-grandchildren.
Mr. Nordwick was preceded in death by his parents, Phina Anderson Nordwick and H.F. Nordwick, of Oregon. His sister, Christine Young of Oregon also survives.
A celebration of life will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Madera on Thursday, July 25th at 11am. Burial will be private. Gifts of remembrance can be made to either Trinity Lutheran Church or the Madera Noon Rotary Scholarship Program.
