Richard Base pictured in front of the News-Herald office June 1, 1971, shortly after the formal transfer of keys took place. Mr. Base’s first issue was Vol. 81, No. 1.
Richard T. Base
passed away Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009 at Solvay Hospice House surrounded by his family.
Dick was born June 17, 1925 in Omaha, Neb. He was the only child of Frank and Pearl (Johnson) Base. When he was a child, they lived in southern Minnesota and Iowa. He graduated with honors from Pillsbury Military Academy in 1943. While at Pillsbury he excelled in marksmanship and earned many medals. He joined the U.S. Army in June 1943 as a member of the 25th Infantry Lightning Division, where he served for four years.
After returning home, he attended Dunwoody Institute for printing and worked in St. Paul after graduation.
He married Betty Keapproth on May 14, 1949 in St. Paul.
He worked at St. Paul
Dispatch
and Pioneer Press
as a journeyman printer. In 1961, they moved to Osceola, Wis., where he owned and published the Osceola Sun for four years. They returned to St. Paul and worked for Lillie Publishing in North St. Paul. In May 1971 the family moved to Grand Marais, where he and Betty owned and published the Cook
County News-Herald
for nine years. Upon retirement in 1980, they moved to Duluth and Dick worked part-time in real estate and also built a lake home on Pequaywan Lake.
His hobbies included landscaping, woodcarving, woodworking, duck hunting and fishing. He loved his role as a grandparent and was actively involved in the lives of his grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Betty; one son, David, of North Platte, Neb.; daughters Cheryl (George) Humphrey of Grand Marais and Nancy (Anthony Jr.) Vatalaro of Duluth; grandchildren Katie Humphrey, Kristi (fiancé Jed Smith) Humphrey, Brittany Vatalaro, Peter Vatalaro; and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service with military honors was held Thursday, Sept. 24 at Faith Lutheran Church in Duluth. The family requests memorials be made to Solvay Hospice House or Faith Lutheran Church.
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