Scott C. Schurz Sr.

Scott C. Schurz, Sr. died Monday, May 24 in Belleair, Florida surrounded by family and following a recent stroke. He was 85 years old. 

He was born in South Bend, IN in 1936 to Martha and Franklin Schurz. After graduating from Denison University in 1957, he served in the United States Army and was stationed in Nuremberg, Germany. 

Schurz spent most of his professional career working for Schurz Communications. He spent time at several properties including the (Hagerstown, MD) Morning Herald and Daily Mail, the South Bend (IN) Tribune, WSBT-TV and the (El Centro, CA) Imperial Valley Press and Brawley News. His longest tenure was at the Hoosier-Times, Inc. (Bloomington, IN) where he served as Publisher and Editor in Chief from 1966 to 2002. His last post with Schurz was as Chairman of the board of directors. 

A passionate proponent of a free press, Schurz lobbied internationally and served on numerous boards and organizations to promote free speech and good, responsible journalism. 

He also believed people had a right to a good education and donated to numerous universities, colleges and secondary schools.  

Schurz loved to travel and visited dozens of countries across six continents. One of his favorite quotes was from St. Augustine who noted, “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” He traveled like he wanted to read the whole book. 

Schurz received numerous awards throughout his distinguished career. He earned the International News Media Association Silver Shovel Award for lifetime achievement in journalism, the Inland Press Association Distinguished Service Award, the Hoosier State Press Association Distinguished Service Award, First Freedom Award, the Indiana Journalism Award presented by Ball State University and was inducted into the Indiana Journalism Hall of Fame. Schurz received a Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Indiana University and Denison University. He also received the Sagamore of the Wabash, the highest honor given by the state of Indiana.  

Scott Schurz married Kathryn Joan Foley in August 1967. They have three children; Scott, Jr. (Stephanie), Alexandra (David Gewant) and John (Rachel), and eight grandchildren: Scott Schurz III and Daniel Schurz; Trevor, Nathan, and Connor Gewant; and Sydney, Mallory, and Graham Schurz. He is also survived by his brother, Franklin Schurz, Jr.  

There will be a private service for family in South Bend. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that people honor Scott’s love of education by donating to Denison University, Indiana University, the University of Notre Dame or the educational institution of your choosing.