Dave Newhouse

  August 19, 1938 - March 12, 2026

Dave Newhouse, a prolific author and an award-winning sports reporter and columnist who had a 47-year run at the Oakland Tribune, died Thursday of heart failure. Newhouse was 87.

Newhouse, who was passionate about Bay Area sports history and known for his class and press-box warmth, worked at the Tribune from 1964 until 2011 and continued writing books, penning 19, throughout his retirement.

In 2023, he co-authored a book with Andy Dolich: "Goodbye Oakland: Winning, Wanderlust, and a Sports Town's Fight for Survival." It was published after the Raiders had moved to Las Vegas, the Warriors had jumped to San Francisco and when the A's were a year removed from their last year at the Oakland Coliseum.

"Oakland is the most victimized sports city in the country," Newhouse told the Chronicle in 2023.

Before the exodus, Newhouse, a Bay Area native who graduated from San Jose State, documented it all during Oakland's glorious sports heyday. He was part of a formidable staff that included Ralph Wiley, who later worked at Sports Illustrated, and Ron Bergman, who also worked at the San Jose Mercury News.

"He was an icon when it came to Oakland sports," said Susan Slusser, the Chronicle's Giants beat writer. "He was there for all the early stuff with the Raiders, the A's, the great Warriors teams of the '70s. He was the man. He really was. He and Ron Bergman kind of dominated that East Bay sportswriting scene in the '70s, '80s and '90s. And he was just a lovely gentleman. Really classy."

Retired Mercury News columnist Mark Purdy termed Newhouse "the best of us, in so many ways." Purdy arrived in the Bay Area from the Cincinnati Enquirer in 1984 and he became emotional in a phone interview Friday night when recalling how Newhouse looked out for a just-arrived rival columnist.

"That was always Dave," Purdy said. "He always wanted to know about your family. And there was the other stuff like, ‘Here's how this works around here.'"

Chronicle columnist Scott Ostler said Newhouse wasn't a columnist who was particularly interested in ripping sports figures, preferring to "build up sports." Newhouse took the same approach with those he wasn't covering.

"He was very helpful to all his colleagues," Ostler said. "That can be common in our profession, but Dave stood out. He always gave people a lot of encouragement. And it was genuine. Specific things. He'd give you ideas: ‘Hey, this would be right up your wheelhouse. You should try this.' A really good, smart, intelligent, fun guy who was a leader in our fraternity."

Newhouse's books include "Founding 49ers," which detailed the early years of the franchise from their founding in 1946 until their launching of their dynasty in the early '80s. He wrote about Bay Area sprinter Eddie Hart, a gold medal favorite in the 100 meters at 1972 Summer Olympics who was disqualified for arriving late to the stadium. And flamboyant St. Mary's football coach Slip Madigan, who played for Knute Rockne at Notre Dame and led the powerhouse Gaels in the 1920s and 1930s.

"He's one of the preeminent Bay Area sports historians," Ostler said. "He covered a lot of history that would have been lost had it not been for Dave. Those old 49ers from the start of the franchise. He found all those old guys and got their stories out."

Purdy noted Newhouse spent much of his Tribune career writing during a pre-internet time when a newspaper columnist had significant influence in the community. And he wielded his power well.

"He was kind of one of those North Stars of where our profession should be aimed," Purdy said. "It's not as much this way now, but we're supposed to be the tour guides for our readers of, ‘Hey, here's what's going on. Here's what's interesting. And you should be interested in it.' Dave was a great guide."

This article originally published at Dave Newhouse, longtime Bay Area sports columnist and author, dies at 87.

Testimonials

John Simmonds

"Dave was more than an excellent journalist, he was also a wonderful human being and one of nicest people I worked with in my long years at the Tribune. His strong suit was people. He liked people and it came out in his columns,  especially after he left the sports beat. Retirement came hard for him because he loved writing on a regular basis. Yet he kept his hand in the writing business right up to the end with occasional columns for the Ultimate Sports Guide, an online publication. He'll be greatly missed. RIP, Dave."

Leba Hertz

"Many fond memories but I think the one that stands out was how kind he was to me at the 1983 Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Will miss Dave!"

Connie Rux 

"Jack and I both called Dave a good friend and enjoyed working with him. He was a wonderful man who really had the gift of human touch. He loved people. Loved talking to people and telling their stories. I really appreciate d his writing and help especially at The Alameda Journal when I was editor. But always loved being around him and Patsy over the years at sports events."

Kit Stier

"Dave was a good man and fun to work with over the years I was in the Sports Department at The Tribune. Seems like another era."

Dave LoVecchio

"Another wonderful Tribee gone. Keeps getting sadder and sadder. He was a great coworker and friend. My thoughts to Patsy and the family. Ciao, my friend."

Elaine Reed

"Thanks John, I’m sorry to hear of Dave’s passing. He was a great writer, kind and had a genuine smile."

Roger Rapoport

"Dave Newhouse was a great reporter and a friend of so many. He set a high standard for all of us and his passion for all things Oakland meant a lot to his readers. Dave was a great storyteller and always had time for anyone who needed help. He will be missed."

Barbara Newhall

"A good man. So friendly and kind. I will miss him. Thanks for letting us know, John."

Janet Silver Ghent

"A loss of a truly great soul, what Jews call a mensch. Dave was kind, humble and gifted."

Carmen Rusca

"Dave Newhouse was a class act, indeed with a human touch. Sad to hear he is gone."

Paul Hertelendy

"No one had a more human touch."

Jon Rochmis

"Dave was as good as good gets. Nothing but fond thoughts and memories of him. Always helpful, always supportive, always a friend."

Bill Knowland

"I always liked Dave. Being with him was easy as he had a zest for life and radiated a warm friendliness. "

Karen Drellich 

"Our offices (when I was in Fashion) were across the hall from each other. He was such a delightful person, always pleasant in every way. Just your basic really nice guy"! 

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