Former Salt Lake Tribune managing editor Jack Schroeder, known as "Gentle Jack" and mentor to three generations of journalists, died Wednesday of causes associated with age at St. Joseph Villa in Salt Lake City. He was 79 and outlived his immediate family members.
Mr. Schroeder (pronounced Shrader) was a 41-year veteran of the news business, starting out as a sports writer and editor in 1947 at the old Salt Lake Telegram before moving to its sister paper, the Tribune. He launched his career after graduating at age 24 from the University of Iowa, where he was the school newspaper's sports editor. His native home was Fort Madison, Iowa, where he was born in 1923.
He carved his first niche at the Tribune as the regional golf writer and columnist when the PGA regularly staged tournaments in Salt Lake City, and developed a fondness for Arnold Palmer after the golf legend won the Utah Open.
Mr. Schroeder was forced to shuck his sports persona for one akin to harder news while covering the Summer Olympics in Munich in 1972 when terrorists interrupted the Games by taking hostage, and later killing, most of the members of Israel's weight-lifting team. He dictated stories throughout the standoff from overseas until its end.
He was promoted to Tribune sports editor in 1965 and hired so many college students he desired to mentor that the clan of new hires became known as "Schroeder's kiddie brigade."
Diane Cole, a former newsroom reporter turned editorial writer, used to call him "Gentle Jack" because of his assumed role not only as a mentor, but a father figure in whom many could confide, recalled Shirley Jones, editorial administrative assistant at the Tribune.
"He was the champion of the little guy. He looked out for all the young reporters and encouraged them and tutored them," Jones said.
Mr. Schroeder was named assistant executive editor in 1975 and promoted to managing editor in 1981. He retired from the Tribune in in 1988 and continued his world travels as a volunteer for the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City.
Tribune business reporter Mike Gorrell recalled his former boss's devotion to the job. "He was always here, from late morning until early morning," he said. "Jack was always fun to talk to because he had so many varied interests. He could regale you with tales of covering the 1972 Olympics in Munich, Catholicism, cultivating roses or teaching in Austria."
Funeral services are scheduled for Monday, at 10 a.m., at the Cathedral of the Madeleine, 333 E. South Temple. A vigil service will be held Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Neil O'Donnell Mortuary, located at 382 E. 100 South.