Walter Stanley Norton

 

 

 

 

 

Newsman Stanley Norton Dies 

By Elinor Hayes

The newspaper world today mourns the death of Stanley Norton, a newspaper genius in the "Front Page" tradition and a guiding force of the Oakland Tribune for over 40 years. He was born, Walter Stanley Norton on May 11, 1890 at Oakland, Alameda, California. He passed away on June 22, 1965 in Alameda County, California he was 75. 

He was Preceded in death by his wife Stella Cordelia Norton Oct 11, 1957. He was survived by his son Peter Terry Norton.

In accordance with Mr. Norton's wishes, there are to be no services.

Until ill health forced his retirement to the post of special consultant to the publisher in 1964, he had been successively state editor, city editor, assistant managing editor and managing editor of the The Tribune since 1924.

The title meant little difference. He was always a newsroom fixture -- directing, organizing, editing and creating.

Tribute by Knowland

Assistant Publisher William F. Knowland said today of the death of Stanley Norton:

"The passing of Stanley Norton is a real loss to the members of The Tribune staff and to all who knew him. He contributed much to the growth of the The Tribune and its position of leadership. We shall all greatly miss him."

To a succession of newspapermen and women he was both Tiger and Lamb, as fierce in pursuit of a story as he was appreciative of a thorough reporting job.

An outstanding picture and story could make his day. He had a special pleased look at day's end when he was satisfied with the day's paper. And he usually found it good -- he made it so.

Then his impatience and direction taking a recess, he would single out the men and women whose work brought the satisfaction and give them his accolades -- "That was a helluva job."

In his younger days he attacked each story with a vim indicative of his fiery red hair. The fact that color softened and whitened over the years made no difference in his attitude. He daily tilted at the windmills of news.

John Simmonds submitted the news article. Note DOD was corrected.