John R. Oravec, veteran of the Washington Star and AFL-CIO News and NPC member, March 18, 2014

John R. Oravec, a veteran of the Washington Star and AFL-CIO News and a Silver Owl member of the National Press Club, died Tuesday morning, March 18. He was 83 and lived in Rockville, Md.

Often called "Teal" by friends and family, he joined the NPC in 1985 and loved to discuss politics and current events with colleagues at the Club, especially on Friday nights. And he enjoyed telling colorful stories, including about his Catholic upbringing and days as a mischievous altar boy.

Oravec served as an Air Force photographer during the Korean War and subsequently had what he described as "not a bad job" with photographic assignments in much of Europe and North Africa. He was a member of NPC American Legion Post 20 and remained an enthusiastic traveler and photographer.

Born in Lorain, Ohio, Oravec earned a journalism degree from Ohio State University. He worked at the Elyria (Ohio) Chronicle and Cleveland Plain Dealer before becoming photo editor at the Washington Star. He finished his career as news editor for the AFL-CIO News.

Attribution: National Press Club, By Ken Dalecki

Full story: Death of NPC Member John Oravec

Dick Heller, Times Columnist Dead at 76, Launched ‘The Sports Junkies’ Careers Jan. 10, 1938 - March 20, 2014

Washington, D.C. sports media has lost one of its own: Dick Heller.
The renowned Washington Times columnist, reporter and copy editor passed away from complications from lung cancer at the age of 76 on Thursday.
Heller, a D.C. native, was regarded as a mentor to many within the industry who would go on to flourish within the sports landscape, in and around the beltway, and beyond.
“He really was kind of this avuncular Walter Cronkite figure in a way,” said once understudy and Times colleague of 23 years David Elfin, of Heller, a revered figure in D.C. media.
Elfin, who first kept quarters with his parents after returning home to join Heller in writing at The Times, recalled, vividly and fondly, the late night phone calls he’d receive in those early years.
“The phone would ring and my mom would answer, and she would say it was ‘timely old Dick Heller,’” he said. “She thought he was like 70 … he was 45-years-old.”
Another Times colleague, Rick Snider, reminisced of Heller as “a real newspaper man” who placed specific focus on each word he wrote, and every last word he edited.
“It took a lot of yelling as an old-school journalist, but he finally taught me to write a decent story,” Snider said. “I owe everything I have to Dick teaching me the business and I will miss my mentor greatly.”
Heller was not only instrumental to the careers of his own colleagues; he was responsible for the success of others, outside the margins of The Times as well.
Of those remembering and thanking Heller, are four radio hosts – Eric Bickel, John-Paul Flaim, Jason Bishop and John Auville — of the D.C.-based show, “The Sports Junkies (or The Junkies, as they’re referred to colloquially),” who credit Heller with discovering them, going on 18 years ago, and singlehandedly launching their media careers.

Attribution: CBS, Chris Lingebach

Full story: http://washington.cbslocal.com/2014/03/21/dick-heller-washington-times-columnist-dead-at-76-launched-the-sports-junkies-careers/

Robert 'Jake' Jacobs, retired newspaperman, March 1, 2014

Robert "Jake" P. Jacobs, 93, of Lewes, formerly of Bethesda, Md,, passed away Saturday, March 1, 2014, at Beebe Healthcare in Lewes. He was born Feb. 12, 1921, son of the late Chester and Anna Jacobs.

As a young man he was a newspaper carrier which fueled his fascination for news media. Mr. Jacobs served his country honorably and proudly with the U.S. Army during World War II, primarily in Europe. After serving his country, Mr. Jacobs attended George Washington University before embarking on a newspaper career.

He had a lifelong career with the Washington Star newspaper in their advertising department. Mr. Jacobs retired in 1981 and began enjoying the little things in life, such as a great round of golf with an old friend, but especially fishing on the Potomac. He loved telling stories about his great fishing day, but seemed to never have a fish to bring home!

Mr. Jacobs truly was a jokester and could tell a story like no other could. He loved American history and considered himself an American history buff. He loved learning throughout his entire life and sharing his knowledge with others.

Attribution: CapeGazette.com