Kansas loses gifted editorial writer Emerson Lynn Jr.
A distinguished Kansas editor and editorial writer, Emerson Lynn Jr. of the Iola Register, died this morning (April 24, 2013). He was 88.
Here is obituary information from the Register:
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A voice in Kansas has been silenced.
Emerson E. Lynn, Jr., 88, longtime publisher of the Iola Register, died this morning. Lynn was recognized across the state as a distinguished and insightful editorial voice guiding his beloved state of Kansas.
Lynn was a regular panelist on the “Kansas Week” public television program that discussed Kansas politics during its run from 1986 to 2000.
He was the third publisher of the Register, following the footsteps of his uncle, Angelo C. Scott, and his grandfather, Charles F. Scott, who purchased the paper in 1882. He was at the Register’s helm from 1965 to 2000, when he sold it to his daughter, Susan Lynn. He continued to write editorials for the Register until earlier this year, when it was discovered he had cancer.
Mr. Lynn was an enthusiast for life. He loved hiking in the mountains, a good game of tennis, and travelling the world.
He relished 59 years of marriage to Mickey, who died on April 6, 2009.
He was an avid learner and spent his days reading and writing.
He enjoyed excellent health up until these last few months.
Lynn was a supporter of Iola and its efforts to prosper. He served in leadership positions on Iola Industries, Rotary, Allen County Hospital, First Presbyterian Church, Iola State Bank and Friends of the Bowlus Fine Arts Center. It was during his tenure as president of Iola Industries that Berg Manufacturing, the former Haldex Brake plant, located to Iola, followed by Gates Rubber, Intercollegiate Press and Klein Tool.
On a state level, he served on the boards of Mid-America, Inc., Kansas Press Association, the Kansas Newspaper Foundation, the Kansas Historical Society and the William Allen White Foundation at the University of Kansas. He was president of KPA in 1977.
In 1989, Lynn was appointed to serve on the State Highway Commission by Gov. Mike Hayden. He also served on a five-member state economic development advisory panel as well as a Blue Ribbon Commission to study the state judiciary system.
Lynn was the first living Kansas newspaper publisher to be placed in the Kansas Newspaper Hall of Fame. He also was awarded the first Clyde M. Reed Jr. Master Editor Award and the first Gaston Outstanding Mentor Award.
On his 80th birthday, Gov. Kathleen Sebelius presented Lynn a plaque commending him for “a long, distinguished career.”
Last fall, Kansas State University’s Huck Boyd Institute recognized Lynn with a Lifetime Achievement Award in Community Newspapers.
Lynn began his publishing career at the Humboldt Union followed by The Bowie News in Bowie, Texas.
He is a graduate of the University of Chicago and attended the University of Melbourne, Australia, on a Rotary scholarship. He served in the U.S. Air Force during World War II.
Three sons, Emerson K. Lynn, Michael J. Lynn and Angelo S. Lynn, and his daughter, Susan, and their families, survive, as does a brother, Scott Lynn, Pleasanton, Calif.
Memorial services are planned for 2 p.m. Saturday, May 4, at the First Presbyterian Church in Iola. Mr. Lynn has donated his body to medical research.
The famly has suggested memorial contributions to one of the following:
• Bowlus Fine Arts Center, Iola
• Allen County Community Foundation
• Kansas Newspaper Foundation
• First Presbyterian Church, Iola
Cards of condolence and memorial gifts may be sent to:
Susan Lynn and family
821 S. Buckeye
Iola, KA 66749
Emerson Lynn Jr. and his successor, daughter Susan Lynn, are shown a few years ago outside the Iola Register building.
