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Kurt Johnson
Much to my father’s surprise, it was a hand-shake deal.
When Butch Furse offered to sell this newspaper to Paula and I 22 years ago we were living in Fremont, where I was pursuing a goal to become a daily newspaper publisher. That all changed when the opportunity to own a newspaper while living and raising a family in the same vibrant community presented itself.
Butch offered, we accepted, and moved our family to Aurora, several months before the deal was actually done. There was nothing in writing at that point, but we didn’t hesitate, knowing that Butch’s handshake, reputation and name were as good as gold. Still are.
I was reminded of that life-changing decision, and trusting relationship, this week when my dear friend and mentor announced that he was signing off on a 50-year career in publishing, writing his last personal column. He has been hinting of that final farewell for some time now, though I knew that would not be an easy decision. Newspaper ink flows purely through his veins, as it does mine, and he always had something to say.
Butch Furse has been an anchor for this newspaper since 1972, not only as its long-time owner/publisher, but also as a weekly columnist who gave readers something to look forward to each week on the bottom left corner of the editorial page. His wit and wisdom offered a combination of humor, punch and thought-provoking perspective that made it a must-read for ANR faithful. I will miss his food for thought and know many others will as well.
The Furse/Johnson connection actually goes back further than 2000, as some of you may or may not know. I grew up in a newspaper family, going to summer press conventions back when that was a very big deal, so got to know Butch, Nancy and their three sons at a very young age. Middle son Brent and I were almost the same age, in fact, and followed similar career paths, with both heading to California not long after graduating college to broaden our newspaper horizons. I moved back to the Midwest three years later, though sadly Brent died in his sleep at the young age of 25.
That tragic event changed a lot of lives, including mine and that of my wife and daughters. The title of News-Register publisher had Brent’s name on it, by design, though that was not meant to be.
Several years later, when Butch began to ponder retirement, we struck up a conversation that felt right from the start. He knew my family, I knew his, and we shared a passion for and commitment to community journalism.
Not long after we arrived in Aurora, my own father, who showed me the ropes in business and life, passed away. For the past 20 years, Butch and I have shared a father-son type respect, the kind of bond that runs much deeper than words. He would stop my office for almost weekly chats, simultaneously scratching his newspaper itch while also offering me valuable feedback and insight on the issues of the day. He would never even hint at telling me what I should do, but was always a trusted sounding board, which is invaluable in a world and industry that changes by the day.
So it is with pride, and some hesitation, that I step in to fill the coveted space where readers looked for “Around the Square” over the years. Writing a weekly column requires a bit of discipline, as Butch reflected last week, and I look forward to the challenge.
As for Mr. Furse, you are still part of my family, and our newspaper family, and always will be. Thanks for the opportunity, and for all you have done as a business leader and man of faith and honor in our community.
