Farewell to a Press Club Friend: Dick Yale

By Jan Percival Lipscomb

The Press Club is sad to announce the loss of charter member and long time club booster, Richard "Dick" Yale, 94. Always looking dapper in his vintage Western-style attire, Yale was a friendly and familiar face at Press Club events for several decades.

According to the obit penned by the San Diego Union-Tribune's Jack Williams, Yale passed away on Dec. 29 at a veteran's home in Aurora, Colorado, due to complications from pneumonia.

Journalist, historian, and an acclaimed expert on the subject of publishing, Yale shared his knowledge and passion with visitors to The San Diego Union Museum from 1967 until he retired in 1989.

"He was an intelligent, affable gentleman -- you could call him Mr. Old Town," said Camilla Percival, herself a 32-year veteran of volunteer service in Old Town State Park.

According to the Union-Tribune obituary, Yale donated much of his collection of rare books and vintage printing presses to the San Diego State University Special Collections and Archives in 2002.

Dick Yale was a classic. We'll miss him.

Posted Feb. 2005