Journalist concludes T-D career

Source: The Tribune-Democrat, Johnstown, Pa.儲存倉Aug. 30--JOHNSTOWN -- Veteran Johnstown journalist Bruce J. Wissinger is calling it quits today.Wissinger has been ensconced at The Tribune-Democrat's main office in Johnstown for 43 years, often working behind the scenes to deliver the news and offer opinions on far-ranging subjects with his daily editorials.He's in charge of the editorials and letters to the Readers' Forum, a columnist on the op-ed page and a member of the newspaper's three-person Editorial Board. Other members are Publisher Robin L. Quillon and Editor Eric Knopsnyder.But Wissinger built his career on a solid foundation of good journalistic practices he has developed since joining the newspaper in 1970.He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh and landed his first job as a general assignment/police reporter with The Tribune-Democrat.Wissinger's career path led to a variety of news beats and copy editor assignments.He became a copy editor in 1977, and later, the chief copy editor.He was named news editor in 1988, and in 1991 took over the Style section.Wissinger became The Tribune-Democrat's editorial page editor in 1994, a position he continues to hold.Quillon called Wissinger a respected journalist who moves with quiet dignity and will be sorely missed."For 19 years, Bruce has been the good shepherd of the most sacred page in a newspaper -- the editorial page -- a page where ideas, opinions and arguments respectfully meet," Quillon said. "His editorials over the years have offered thoughtful insights, uplifted and encouraged, scolded and pricked the conscience of our community and her leaders."Quillon said Wissinger possesses an enviable gift of being able to distill a complex issue down to its simplest core.The only other jobs Wissinger has ever known were as a youngster working at summer construction jobs, as a gas station attendant, and at Acme Markets while attending Pitt.Wissinger has conquered any job in the newsroom he was asked to do. He covered civic and government meetings, took obituaries from funeral directors and reported on the police beat."In all my years at The Tribune, my favorite job was covering the police and fire departments because I found them to be wonderful, unselfish people who I learned to admire and respect for the jobs they do," he said. "They always treated me well, and I will never forget that."Wissinger was so impressed with these public servants that he applied to become a state policeman early in his career."I passed all the tests, but at that time, many Vietnam veterans were returning from war and the numbers were not in my favor to be selected," Wissinger said.The state police's loss was the community's gain, according to former Tribune-Democrat Publisher Pamela J. Mayer."Bruce was a veteran newspaperman when I started to work at the paper," she said. "In addition to his education, he was trained by one of the best, Ron Gatehouse. Gate was demanding and particular. Bruce not only survived Gate's tutelage, but he thrived as a newspaperman."She describes Wissinger as dependable, calm and accurate; everything a newspaper requires on deadline.When Wissinger took over the responsibilities for the editorial page, he and Mayer worked as a team."Bruce was always on time, always appropriate, always accurate and consistently fair and polite," she said. "I learned a lot from Bruce as we toiled through editorial meetings, endorsement decisions, upset readers, question-and-answer sessions and edited the letters to the Read迷你倉價錢rs' Forum."Thanks to Bruce, I know about motorcycles, gun permits and the gym at Memorial Medical Center," Mayer said. "I also know how 'not' to get a squirrel out of your laundry room."She called Wissinger a true newspaperman who brought a depth to the paper that won't easily be replaced.Through it all, Wissinger has seen vast changes in the newspaper businessduring his career.When he first walked into the newsroom and took his place at a typewriter, the newspaper was produced using hot metal, a technique that had been used by printers for hundreds of years.He soon had to make a transition to using computers when the newspaper converted to high-tech equipment."Technology and computerization have revolutionized the industry," he said. "We now see one person doing the work that once required a multitude of people."Wissinger said the rewards and challenges of his career were closely related."The rewards and challenges came in the hundreds of interviews over the years I conducted as part of the question-and-answer sessions we did for our Sunday Opinion Page," he said. "From presidential candidates, senators, congressmen and the community's movers and shakers, the one person I admired the most was the late (U.S. Rep.) John Murtha. I was awed by his dedication to Johnstown and the people of this country."While the work was demanding, Wissinger says he'll miss the people he works with and remember those who have helped him achieve his objectives."A lot of people have helped me like the late Ron Gatehouse," he said. "There are so many talented and professional colleagues in the organization who I have been privileged to know, but I would be remiss if I didn't thank (former editor) George Fattman as well as (former publishers) Dick and Pam Mayer."He said he also will miss the many friends he encountered while standing in front of the Tribune building at lunchtime and with whom he often exchanged banter and good-natured ribbing.Wissinger resides in Adams Township with his wife, the former Darlene Bellock. She is a charge nurse in ambulatory surgery at Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, and will join her husband in retirement in September after completingher own career of 44 years.The couple have one son, Darrin, who along with his wife, Kristin, and their two children, Ashley, 17, and Hayden, 15, reside in Canonsburg, Washington County.Wissinger is a 1965 graduate of Adams-Summerhill High School, now part of the Forest Hills School District.He is the son of Betty (Brewer) Wissinger of South Fork R.D. 1 and the late Sheldon Wissinger Sr."I plan to work around the house and yard doing some jobs that I have been paying others to do," he said. "But high on my list is spending more time with my son's family before my grandchildren head off for college."He also will pursue a passion that has helped him relieve stress and find enjoyment for decades: Riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle.A proud member of HOG (Harley Owners Group), Wissinger will use his newfound freedom to enjoy the open road."For years, I would ride through so many beautiful towns to get to a destination," he said. "Now, we can revisit those places and take a day or two to enjoy the surroundings without the worry of being home in time for work."Tom Lavis covers Features for the Tribune-Democrat. Follow him on Twitter.com/Tom LavisTD.Copyright: ___ (c)2013 The Tribune-Democrat (Johnstown, Pa.) Visit The Tribune-Democrat (Johnstown, Pa.) at .tribune-democrat.com Distributed by MCT Information Services迷你倉