Frank Schier

Tributes were quick to arrive following the death of a longtime Rockford area newspaper publisher whose eclectic interests also included music, rare books and poetry.

Frank Schier, publisher and editor of The Rock River Times and a former Rockford College board member, died last Tuesday at the age of 62.

The newspaper announced Schier’s death on its web site Jan. 18.

“Rockford will miss your honest pursuit of true journalism, a rarity in these times of overt sensationalism,” wrote Andew Kellogg in a tribute on the Times’ site. “As a citizen we will miss the vast contributions you gave to environmental causes, the River district, politics and humanistic outreach in general. As your friend I will miss the long nights of conversation, drink and fellowship.”

Schier, whose byline frequently appeared in the newspaper, continued to be active even as underwent treatments for lung and brain cancer.

He also maintained a sense of humor. In an editorial last November dictated from his bed at the University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison, he endorsed Democrat Hillary Clinton over Republican Donald Trump.

“Many people in the past have said I need my head examined because of the endorsements I have made,” he said. “Well, I just had brain surgery at the University of Wisconsin Hospital. So there.”

Schier became involved in publishing when he took over an area monthly in 1992, converting it to a weekly that became the Rock River Times.

Schier helped found the Rock River Trail and Rockford River District Association and also co-founded of the Rockford Area Music Industry awards and the Angela Rushford Children’s Organ Donation Fund.

He was single and had no children.

“The staff of The Times wants to thank our longtime friend and boss, and wishes to reassure our readers that the paper will continue to fill its role as the Voice of the Community,” managing editor Shane Nicholson wrote on the Times site.

— Frank Schier, Rock River Times editor, dies after battle with cancer —