Chris Nicholson's Writing Weblog
March 19, 2008 • Wednesday
Dick Durrell, the founding publisher of People magazine and an early mentor of mine, passed away last week at the age of 82.
In college I signed up for "Magazine Publication and Related Communications," a course Dick taught every several semesters during his retirement years. I didn't even know who he was, let alone how profound an impact he'd have on me merely by asking and respecting my opinions. When I became editor of the university newspaper, he wrote me a congratulatory note, and even ordered a subscription. Later he stayed in touch with letters and lunches, and was my ringer resume reference.
I last saw Dick in 2002, the first time he let me pay for lunch; it was my thank-you for the guidance he'd given me.
For more information about Dick and his passing, see his obituaries in the New York Times and the Connecticut Post.
He was a good man, whose guidance leaves me eternally grateful.
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