'Eureka Times-Standard' M.E. Dies at 61

By: Rich Somerville, managing editor of the Times-Standard newspaper in Eureka, was found dead at his home after days spent battling an unspecified illness. He was 61.

The county coroner said Somerville's death on Saturday was "probably heart-related," according to a story posted on the newspaper's Web site.
Somerville began his career in the newspaper industry at age 16 with the Des Moines Register in Iowa. He spent 20 years at that paper and its sister publication, the Des Moines Tribune.

"He was a man who truly loved and lived for newspapers and the journalism profession," said Kimberly Wear, the Times-Standard's city editor.

Before his job at the Times-Standard, Somerville served as president and founder of Media Foresight Associates, a newspaper consulting firm, and managing editor of The Union newspaper in Grass Valley.

He is survived by his brother, Gary, and and his cousin, Judy Weiker. A memorial service is being planned.