Journalist Walter Rosebrock dies at 90

DOWNEY - Walter A. Rosebrock, a former Downey newspaper reporter, died Dec. 14 at his home in Santa Maria, Calif.Rosebrock was born March 29, 1923 in St. Louis. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1943-46 in Aviation Squadron VR-E1 and V6. He studied at Washington University in St. Louis, graduating in 1950. He began his newspaper career in 1951 with the Downey Champion newspaper. He went to Santa Maria in 1959 with the Hagadone-Scripps organization and stayed with them until he retired in 1983, more than 32 years in the newspaper industry. Some of those years he spent with sister papers in Arizona, Hawaii, Wisconsin, Washington State and Oregon. He returned to Santa Maria as editor and publisher in 1975. Rosebrock was active in the community, serving as president and vice president of Allan Hancock Board of Trustees, president of Valley Developers, and president of S.M. Valley Republicans. He belonged to the S.M. Valley Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Rotary Club, S.M. Philharmonic Society board of directors, Hancock College Foundation, and was a founding member of the S.M. Civic Theatre. He was affiliated with International Executive Service Corps which sent him on assignments to Ukraine and Nepal. He also belonged to the Sigma Delta Chi, Professional Journalist Society. Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Ginny; son, Bruce (Elyse) of Longview, Wash., daughter Kay (David) Hiltner of Eugene, Ore.; grandson, Wade Johnson; great-grandson, Devin, of Sacramento; brother, Kenneth; and numerous nieces and nephews. At his request, no services were held.

********** Published: Dec. 26, 2013 - Volume 12 - Issue 37