Nelson, Former Detroit Publisher, Dies at 79

Posted Wednesday, January 7, 2004 12:00 am

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(AP) Robert C. Nelson, a former publisher of The Detroit News, has died. He was 79.

Nelson, of St. Petersburg, Fla., died Dec. 31 while visiting with family in Cumming, Ga.

He joined the News as a production manager in 1952 and served as publisher from 1982 until retiring in 1989.

Nelson held various management positions during his 37 years with the newspaper, including operations manager, vice president and general manager and vice president of the Newspaper Division of the Evening News Association, with duties that included overseeing business operations at the News and newspapers in California and New Jersey.

Nelson, formerly of Birmingham, helped lead the implementation of new printing and production techniques, construction of the Sterling Heights printing plant and completion of the Joint Operating Agreement that joined business operations of the News and the Detroit Free Press.

Survivors include his wife, Jeanne, two daughters, Barbara Livingston and Nancy Hathy, a son, Robert, and seven grandchildren.

A memorial service was scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday in Maximo Presbyterian Church in St. Petersburg.

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Nelson, Former Detroit Publisher, Dies at 79

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