Legendary Detroit Newsman Neal Shine Dies

Shine died Tuesday, April 3, 2007 of respiratory failure, at Bon Secours Hospital in Grosse Pointe Michigan, with his family by his side.

Shine was the consummate newspaper man. He began his 46 yearlong career at the Detroit Free Press in 1950 as a copyboy, and rose through the ranks as a reporter, city editor, managing editor, senior managing editor, columnist and eventually ended his career - after one unsuccessful retirement in 1989 - as the newspaper's publisher in 1996.

In 1969, Shine also began a side career as a journalism instructor at the University of Detroit-Mercy. He would go on to instruct journalism students at Wayne State University, and eventually became a professor of journalism at Oakland University where he taught journalism ethics and feature writing. He served in that position until 2004, finally retiring at the age of 74.

A masterful, hilarious storyteller, in both print and in person, Shine continued working after retirement appearing at, speaking at, and planning public events, nearly right up until his death.

In his lifetime, Shine was a mentor, friend and inspiration to countless people. Many of the people he taught and touched went on to become leading journalists, broadcasters, professors, and writers in their field - including nationally recognized columnist and author Mitch Albom.

When Albom was once considering leaving Detroit, and taking a job in New York, Shine said, "it'll be bigger but it won't be better." It was enough influence. Albom stayed in Detroit.

Shine's career spanned the technological changes of the newspaper world from typewriters to computers and the digital information era. In that time, he received numerous accolades from the newspaper business. He was an integral part of the Free Press staff being awarded the Pulitzer Prize for covering the 1967 Detroit riots, received the Pierrot Award for his contributions to journalism, and was inducted into the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame.

Born of Irish-Catholic stock - and lover of the Irish people and their culture his entire life - Shine insisted there was no big secret to his rise from east side Detroit lad, to newspaper publisher and public figure. It was just hard work.

I personally learned of his tenacious work-ethic as his student at Oakland University for both feature writing, and media ethics.

"I came in early, I stayed late," he said. "When the story was written, and I thought it was done, I checked one more fact, I made one more phone call."

Such was the attitude of Shine, taking a tough, Detroit, blue-collar working mentality, and parlaying it into a successful career at doing something he loved.

But, being a newsman wasn't Shine's entire life. He was also a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend to myriad people.

I personally remember hearing him "lecturing" about how he always worked hard at the Free Press, but would always find time to "sneak out the back door" to make it to a little league game, or other family event. Even as he taught us about the nuts and bolts of good journalism, he would always stress the balance he maintained in his family life.

Shine, is survived by his wife Phyllis and six children, Judy Heuvelman, Jim, Sue Epp, Tom, Peggy Shine and Dan. He also is survived by 17 grandchildren and two brothers.

Although he may not receive the broad attention in death that so many, so-called famous, Hollywood or sports types get, Shine was a personal hero and great man to many who knew him. Even in death, he may never achieve the notoriety he deserves for the life that he lived, but to the thousands who were impacted by him and his work, his love will leave a lasting legacy for many years to come.

Sources:
Joe Swickard, "Former Free Press Publisher Dies at 76." Freep.com. (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070403/NEWS08/70403017)
Unknown Author, "Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame - Neal Shine." msu.edu. (http://hof.jrn.msu.edu/bios/shine.html)
KANIQUA S. DANIEL, "Longtime journalist, professor retires from OU." (http://www.theoaklandpress.com/stories/122004/loc_20041220008.shtml)