Bill Tubbs, former publisher of North Scott Press, dies at 75 (2024)

Gretchen Teske

Bill Tubbs loved the North Scott Press so much he made it the only job he'd ever had.

The 75-year-old former publisher and philanthropist died Friday, Sept. 20, at the University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison surrounded by loved ones, according to his obituary. He was best known in the community for his 51-year commitment to the weekly newspaper in Eldridge.

A visitation will be from 3-7 p.m., on Friday, Sept. 27, at the Eldridge United Methodist Church. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28, at the Fine Arts Center at North Scott High School in Eldridge. An additional visitation will be held one hour prior to Saturday's service.

Bill Tubbs, former publisher of North Scott Press, dies at 75 (1)

Born in Clinton, Tubbs was raised near Elwood, Iowa, where he participated in 4-H, athletics and music through his high school career. In November 1970 he married Linda Zoe Long at First United Methodist Church in Maquoketa.

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He went on to earn his bachelor of science degree in agricultural communications and served in the Iowa Army National Guard for six years. In 1971, Tubbs walked in the door of the North Scott Press in Eldridge. Over the next five decades, he performed every job in the business, from selling ads to keeping up with the latest meetings and what was going on around town.

When he joined the staff, the paper was only three years old. But Tubbs had visions for the decades of growth that were to come.

"This is the only job I've ever had," he said during an interview in September 2022 where he and Linda announced they were selling the paper.

Scott Campbell, former editor of the paper, worked side-by-side with Tubbs for 40 years until his own retirement two years ago. Even after announcing the sale, Tubbs came in three to four days a week, Campbell said.

Tubbs retained his office, his weekly column "Impressions," and was listed as publisher emeritus in the newspaper's staff guide.

"He was really my first introduction into what community journalism is," Campbell said. "He believed in the power of the press, the power of written word and he believed most importantly in making a difference in his community. North Scott truly is a better place because of him."

Randy Evans, a long-time friend and colleague of Tubbs, said his career and commitment to the paper was nothing short of amazing.

"As somebody who worked in the newspaper profession for decades, I just marvel at the role he played at the North Scott Press," he said. "Bill was always a believer in the importance of covering all aspects of the community: the good news, the bad news, the news people may not want to hear about but really deserve to know about. He was a passionate believer in the importance of a newspaper's editorial page."

Campbell noted Tubbs was a stickler for accuracy and was never afraid to share his opinion. Above all, he was passionate about the North Scott Press and used every opportunity he had to promote it.

“I was there 40 years and I was blessed to have that kind of career at the North Scott Press, but I owe my career to Bill Tubbs," Campbell said. "I really do. They just don't make them like that anymore."

Tubbs' commitment to community and unabashed willingness to share his opinion is something both colleagues will remember him for.

"He had opinions and wasn’t afraid to express, but did it in a way that was always accompanied by his smile," Evans said. "I couldn’t tell you if I have ever seen a frown on his face. And I think that was the nature of Bill's outlook: even in the difficult times he could see the sunny side of things as well.”

Evans, the executive director of the Iowa Freedom of Information Council, said Tubbs was a champion for the organization and helped prod the Iowa legislature to revise Iowa's public records laws to require governments to make the terms of legal settlements public.

"People in Iowa, even those who have no knowledge of Bill or the North Scott Press, owe him a huge debt of gratitude," he said. "Bill had a huge legacy in the Quad-Cities, but his legacy extends from border to border in Iowa."

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Tubbs' obituary lists a multitude of accomplishments and honors, noting his devotion for serving others. Rotary was a big passion of Tubbs, Campbell noted, saying the club will miss him dearly.

"Rotary was his true love. He believed in the philosophy of service above self, chartered the club in North Scott and was a member for 52 years," he said. "The press and Rotary. That was Bill."

And, of course, his family. Evans said that was evident in every page of the North Scott Press.

“While Bill and Linda have the three daughters, the North Scott Press was their other child. Bill and Linda nurtured it through the years and helping it to grow and spread its wings. It’s quite the legacy," Evans said. "It's just a comforting thing where we should all appreciate the time we had with Bill."

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Bill Tubbs, former publisher of North Scott Press, dies at 75 (2024)
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