Bud Bruce inducted into Newspaper Hall of Fame
By JENNIFER WILSON
News editor
Former Hillsboro Star-Journal owner and publisher Bud Bruce was inducted into the Kansas Newspaper Association Hall of Fame Friday night.
The induction took place at the end of the President's Banquet during the Kansas Press Association's annual convention. One deceased member of the KPA is chosen each year for the Hall of Fame.
On hand to receive the award at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Topeka was Bruce's wife, Marcella, and their two children, Kenneth "Skip" Bruce of Pratt and Marcia Bruce Wiederstein of Florida.
"It's a distinct honor," Marcella said. "We feel very grateful."
The award is special because it was chosen by Bud's peers at the KPA, she said. He loved the KPA and was very active in the newspaper organization.
Former Osawatomie Graphic owner and publisher Web Hawkins presented the award — a special treat for the Bruce family, since the Hawkins and Bruces have been friends for a long time.
Bruce bought the Hillsboro paper in 1954 after working at the Lindsborg News Record for a year Before that, he and Marcella owned the Marquette Tribune, which they purchased from Bruce's father in 1946 before he died.
The Bruces owned the Star-Journal for 34 years until they sold the newspaper in 1988 to Scott and Stacy Brady.
Over the years, Bruce was involved in numerous community and political organizations. He served as president of the KPA in 1966 and received the association's Boyd Award for Community Service in 1976. The KPA's annual golf tournament was named in his honor in 2002.
At age 84, Bruce suffered a massive stroke on May 20, 1999, and died two days later.
