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KENNETH F. RYSTROM, JR
March 4, 1932 ~ August 4, 2013
Kenneth F. Rystrom, Jr., 81, former editor of The Columbian (Vancouver, WA) editorial page and retired journalism professor, died in Eugene, Oregon, on August 4, 2013, from complications of a stroke six months earlier. Until shortly before his death he had lived in Florence, OR, to be near his children and grandchildren.
He was born in Bayard, Nebraska to Kenneth Rystrom, Sr., and Zella Rystrom (ne' Borland).
Ken published his first newspaper on a toy printing press and received a reprimand from his kindergarten teacher for interviewing the girls for his paper. For a few years in the 1940s, he published the Chimney Rock Press, and learned to be a printer on the Bayard paper. He became an Eagle Scout. In 1954, he was graduated with a Journalism degree and high honors from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, where he was named to the Innocents Society, and edited The Daily Nebraskan. He was a Phi Beta Kappa, member of several honorary societies and of Kappa Sigma. He received his Master's in Political Science from University of California, Berkeley, the following year and then served in Korea in the U.S. Army.
He began his adult newspaper career in Vancouver, WA, in 1956, at The Columbian and became an editorial writer for the Des Moines Register and Tribune from 1960-64, moving back to Vancouver to lead The Columbian's editorial page. He received numerous awards for his writing and founded an organization of learning and mutual support for editorial writers in Washington and Oregon. He joined the Mazamas, climbed all but one of the Cascade Mountains, and was an avid backpacker who always had his 1959 wooden mountaineering axe with him.
Rystrom served as president of the National Conference of Editorial Writers (now known as the Association of Opinion Journalists) in 1974 and was named a life member. He contributed a history of the organization to the website, and often wrote for The Masthead, the organization's journal. At the suggestion of the NCEW board, he wrote four editions of "The Why, Who and How of the Editorial Page," the first textbook specifically for editorial writers. He was in the process of finishing the fifth edition, a daunting task considering changes in the newspaper industry. Ken also wrote The Beach-Combers Guide to the Oregon Coast (1992).
Ken left the newspaper field for academe in 1977 and received his PhD in Political Science from the University of Southern California in 1983. He taught editorial writing and other journalism courses at University of Redlands (CA), and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) in Blacksburg, VA, until his retirement in 1997.
He supported the Presbyterian Church wherever he lived, as a ruling elder and choir member. He was an active member of the American Amateur Press Association, publishing the Sea Watch Press, a successor to his original publication in Nebraska some seventy years earlier. He was a longtime Kiwanian and most special, he performed with The Last Resort Players theater group where he enjoyed acting and being directed by his partner Patricia Romanov.
While living in Florence, Oregon, Ken helped found the Heceta Head Coastal Conference. It is now going to have its 9th conference. The Conference focuses on the ocean and marine life. His love of the coast inspired him to be active in the Ocean Shores Conservation Coalition. He published and distributed their newsletter and monitored 'his' mile of Oregon coast.
Dr. Rystrom is survived by a sister, Barbara Rystrom Pyle; daughters, Anne McCoy, Margaret Rystrom and Vicki Rystrom; grandchildren, Jason and Bruce Walker, Jennifer and Randall Rystrom, Samuel, Emily, Charles and Cora McCoy; two great-grandchildren; his partner, Patricia Romanov; and former wife, Sally Hall Petersen.
Services are pending. Contact the Siuslaw Presbyterian Church in Florence for details at 541-997-7136.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Ocean Shores Conservation Coalition (http://www.oregonshores.org/), to the Last Resort Players, the local community theater (P.O. Box 2104, Florence, OR 97439) and to Presbyterian Church of the Siuslaw (3996 Highway 101 N Florence, OR 97439) or Cascade Manor Foundation (http://www.retirement.org/cascade/about-us/foundation/).
Cards or letters to the family may be sent to Anne McCoy, PO Box 2442, Clackamas, OR 97015.
Please sign his guestbook at: www.columbian.com/obits.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Margaret
August 29, 2022
Happy Birthday, Dad. Miss having you around.
Margaret Rystrom
March 5, 2014
So sorry for your loss.
Fernando Francisco
March 4, 2014
So sorry for your loss. You have been through so much this year. God bless you all with peace in this time of sorrow. Love and blessings
Windi Withycombe Morehead
October 29, 2013
Ken's memorial will be held at the Siuslaw Presbyterian church in Florence, Oregon Saturday, Nov. 9th at 11 am. Please feel free to come share your stories.
Margaret Rystrom
October 29, 2013
I always wanted to be an editorial writer like Ken Rystrom. I wanted so much to learn the finer points of the craft from him that I applied for a job writing editorials for The Columbian when one became available. I didn't get it, and had to settle for carrying a copy of his famous book on editorial writing under my arm when I went on to write editorials for other newspapers. I didn't get my wish to write like Ken Rystrom, either, but I tried. He was a part of the glory days of newspapers, and the mark he made still inspires.
George Neavoll
September 5, 2013
Farewell, Ken.
As a friend and co-worker at The Columbian, the memories are plentiful.
We started families, built homes, retreated at the beach, partied and put together a tone of newspapers. Finish one day's edition and get ready for the next day. You had to be young.
Alan and Katy Leland
September 4, 2013
Vicki, my dear childhood friend from Corregidor, I miss you, and I am so sorry to hear about Ken. I have such fond memories of you and your family from back in the day. The Helgasons send their condolences and love to you all at this difficult time.
Jen (Helgason) Phillips
September 3, 2013
as i write this poem
i am listening to the all night vigil
in The Funeral home
in the sweet night's middle
beneath a starry Dome
and believing in Religion All
we can call each other on the phone
and play a funeral Fiddle
a little comfort Loan
to the holiest Ritual!
Love You very much
you seem like an interesting Person
from:JoAnn and Greg Houf
Eastmoreland
greg houf
September 3, 2013
Used to babysit Anne and Margaret when Ken and Sally went out, had a lot of fun in the hood as their next door neighbors! From the Churches to the Purdys, the Scarpellis to the Micklewaits, Buena Vista ruled the world!!! Course the vantage from the Park residence was always best . After all, with 6 kids running around and 2 horses tied up in the old Campbell lot next door (it was a field then!), I guess babysitting for the Rystroms was relatively relaxing. God bless all you guys who made all of our childhoods so much fun.
Barbara Peterson
September 1, 2013
I was a reporter at The Columbian when Ken was the editorial editor. He excelled in his craft; was a great mentor; greeted everyone and every day with great enthusiasm; was very involveed in and dedicated to the Vancouver community; and had a big role in making the newsroom a great place to work. Thanks for all of your dedication and all else that you were to so many of us, Ken.
Mike Alesko
September 1, 2013
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