The Dennis Myers memorial issue

Welcome to this week’s Reno News & Review.

In this week’s paper, we honor Dennis Myers. Dennis was the news editor of this paper for nearly two decades, just one chapter—but an important chapter—of a long, prestigious journalism career. He died after suffering a stroke two weeks ago. He was, arguably, the best reporter in Nevada.

I wrote about him in this column last week, as did many of our other regular columnists. This week, we’re reprinting some of our favorite Dennis Myers articles and essays from over the years, and publishing remembrances from folks around the community—fellow journalists from other media outlets, folks who used to work here at the RN&R, and public officials who were often the subject of Dennis’ stories. And more.

Huge thanks to everyone who contributed a memorial essay. We had to edit them all down a bit, but I love the multifaceted portrait that emerges from reading them—each writer describing a different part of the elephant.

It was tough to decide which of Dennis’ thousands of stories to publish. I’m happy with the pieces we’re printing here, but there are 150 or 200 other articles that we could have chosen from among his top-tier work. Not to mention the award-winning editorials he wrote, or the pithy emails.

A few readers and community members have suggested that we should publish a big fat hardbound book collecting some of Dennis’ finest pieces—to which, I say, “Sounds great!” Not sure how we’re going to pay for it, but let’s make it happen. Seriously. Let’s make it happen. Send me an email if you want to help.

The other question we’ve heard a lot lately has been about memorial services. Here’s the scoop: The memorial will be at the McKinley Arts & Culture Center, 925 Riverside Drive, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 15. Hope to see you there. I’ll be the long-haired crying guy.