[Untitled]
Collection: 2012
Citation
“[Untitled],” Digital Augusta, accessed May 2, 2024, https://augusta.digitalsckls.info/item/2353.
Text
COMMUNITY REMEMBERS ZERBE
Belinda Larsen
Gazette Editor
Augusta lost one of its leading citizens with the passing of Carter Zerbe, 72, on Saturday.
Zerbe was a cancer survivor, but recently learned that it had returned. He collapsed at his home Saturday afternoon, was taken by ambulance and died at Kansas Medical Center.
The second-generation newspaper man had retired in 2004 after almost 50 years in the news business. He had served as the Augusta Gazette Publisher, Regional Manager with Liberty Group Publishing, and regional director for Kansas Press Association.
He and his wife, Lolita came to Augusta in June of 1958, joining his parents Daniel J. “Jack” and Florence Zerbe and his brother Terry in a local business partnership. Jack Zerbe, a newspaperman from Iowa became the edi-tor/publisher of the Augusta newspaper.
Carter Zerbe became full time publisher of this newspaper following the death of his father.
During his leadership, the business saw many changes in technology. The Gazette went from hot type production to the offset printing process. The Gazette was one of the first Kansas newspapers to go to that production method.
Zerbe watched the news room go from hammering out the news on manual typewriters to everything being computerized, right down to the cameras.
He made certain the Gazette stayed current with the technology trends.
Through this newspaper, he consistently focused on informing and promoting Augusta. Under his leadership, the Gazette won awards and had a strong reader-ship.
His committment to his community and leadership were never more apparent then when he and his staff overcame the hardships of the 1998 flood and an office under 4 feet of water.
By working together with the El Dorado Times, the Gazette was able to get the news to residents immediately.
Zerbe also spent many years as a regional manager for Liberty Group Publishing Co., which meant he had oversight of approximately 20 newspapers in seven states, including Kansas,Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, California, Idaho, and Washington. In addition Augusta, the Kansas newspapers unde his management were Wellington, Pratt, Derby, ElDorado, McPherson, Shawnee, and Kansas City.
He was very active in local community organizations as well. He was a board
member of the Augusta Chamber of Commerce and the Augusta United Way. He was a charter member of the Augusta Optimist Club, a member of the Elks Lodge and the Augusta Jaycees. He served eight years on the Augusta USD 402 Board of Education and one term as BOE president. He served as chairman of the city’s board of zoning appeals for 19 years.
He was no stranger to politics, having helped former state senator Frank Gaines with his re-election campaign, and running his own campaign several years ago as an Independent candidate for the Second District seat on the Butler County Commission. The loss of that election did not deter his desire to serve the community.
On July 1, 2005, he began his first term on the Board of Trustees at Butler Community College, and was still serving at the time of his death. During the past seven years, he had performed the duties of chairman and vice-chairman of that board.
Zerbe was an active member of Augusta’s First United Methodist Church. In addition to his wife, Lolita, he is survived by his daughter Brenda Rodda and her husband Elliott of Winfield, daughter-in-law, Patti Zerbe of Cincinnati, Ohio, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. His son Brian Zerbe preceded him in death in 2008.
VISITATION Tuesday - 6-8 p.m.
SERVICE
Wednesday - 5 p.m.
First United Methodist Church 2420 N. Ohio - Augusta
Jackie Vietti, President, Butler Community College: When I first met Carter Zerbe in my role as the nearly brand new president of Butler Community College, two things stood out in my mind — that I had just met an individual whose energy and enthusiasm were certain to be contagious and that when Carter believed in something he did not waver. Those two first impressions have proved to be invaluable assets to the college (well, the latter one nearly all of the time!), as Carter offered his tireless, passionate service to make Butler the best community college it could be for our students and our communities. Wherever he traveled, whether it was in Augusta, Butler County, the state or the nation, he never failed to sing the praises of Butler and its differencemaking work. Nor did he ever fail to meet a stranger whose life became instantly enriched because of an encounter with the one-of-a-kind Carter Zerbe.
MORE COMMENTS ON PAGE 8
Wekkspring of caring from Augusta community
Thank you all for the kind words. My dad loved this community and especially this newspaper, with all his heart.
Brenda Zerbe Rodda
Original Format
Published with permission of copyright holder. Further reproduction prohibited.
Citation
“[Untitled],” Digital Augusta, accessed May 2, 2024, https://augusta.digitalsckls.info/item/2353.Text
COMMUNITY REMEMBERS ZERBE
Belinda Larsen
Gazette Editor
Augusta lost one of its leading citizens with the passing of Carter Zerbe, 72, on Saturday.
Zerbe was a cancer survivor, but recently learned that it had returned. He collapsed at his home Saturday afternoon, was taken by ambulance and died at Kansas Medical Center.
The second-generation newspaper man had retired in 2004 after almost 50 years in the news business. He had served as the Augusta Gazette Publisher, Regional Manager with Liberty Group Publishing, and regional director for Kansas Press Association.
He and his wife, Lolita came to Augusta in June of 1958, joining his parents Daniel J. “Jack” and Florence Zerbe and his brother Terry in a local business partnership. Jack Zerbe, a newspaperman from Iowa became the edi-tor/publisher of the Augusta newspaper.
Carter Zerbe became full time publisher of this newspaper following the death of his father.
During his leadership, the business saw many changes in technology. The Gazette went from hot type production to the offset printing process. The Gazette was one of the first Kansas newspapers to go to that production method.
Zerbe watched the news room go from hammering out the news on manual typewriters to everything being computerized, right down to the cameras.
He made certain the Gazette stayed current with the technology trends.
Through this newspaper, he consistently focused on informing and promoting Augusta. Under his leadership, the Gazette won awards and had a strong reader-ship.
His committment to his community and leadership were never more apparent then when he and his staff overcame the hardships of the 1998 flood and an office under 4 feet of water.
By working together with the El Dorado Times, the Gazette was able to get the news to residents immediately.
Zerbe also spent many years as a regional manager for Liberty Group Publishing Co., which meant he had oversight of approximately 20 newspapers in seven states, including Kansas,Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, California, Idaho, and Washington. In addition Augusta, the Kansas newspapers unde his management were Wellington, Pratt, Derby, ElDorado, McPherson, Shawnee, and Kansas City.
He was very active in local community organizations as well. He was a board
member of the Augusta Chamber of Commerce and the Augusta United Way. He was a charter member of the Augusta Optimist Club, a member of the Elks Lodge and the Augusta Jaycees. He served eight years on the Augusta USD 402 Board of Education and one term as BOE president. He served as chairman of the city’s board of zoning appeals for 19 years.
He was no stranger to politics, having helped former state senator Frank Gaines with his re-election campaign, and running his own campaign several years ago as an Independent candidate for the Second District seat on the Butler County Commission. The loss of that election did not deter his desire to serve the community.
On July 1, 2005, he began his first term on the Board of Trustees at Butler Community College, and was still serving at the time of his death. During the past seven years, he had performed the duties of chairman and vice-chairman of that board.
Zerbe was an active member of Augusta’s First United Methodist Church. In addition to his wife, Lolita, he is survived by his daughter Brenda Rodda and her husband Elliott of Winfield, daughter-in-law, Patti Zerbe of Cincinnati, Ohio, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. His son Brian Zerbe preceded him in death in 2008.
VISITATION Tuesday - 6-8 p.m.
SERVICE
Wednesday - 5 p.m.
First United Methodist Church 2420 N. Ohio - Augusta
Jackie Vietti, President, Butler Community College: When I first met Carter Zerbe in my role as the nearly brand new president of Butler Community College, two things stood out in my mind — that I had just met an individual whose energy and enthusiasm were certain to be contagious and that when Carter believed in something he did not waver. Those two first impressions have proved to be invaluable assets to the college (well, the latter one nearly all of the time!), as Carter offered his tireless, passionate service to make Butler the best community college it could be for our students and our communities. Wherever he traveled, whether it was in Augusta, Butler County, the state or the nation, he never failed to sing the praises of Butler and its differencemaking work. Nor did he ever fail to meet a stranger whose life became instantly enriched because of an encounter with the one-of-a-kind Carter Zerbe.
MORE COMMENTS ON PAGE 8
Wekkspring of caring from Augusta community
Thank you all for the kind words. My dad loved this community and especially this newspaper, with all his heart.
Brenda Zerbe Rodda
Original Format
Published with permission of copyright holder. Further reproduction prohibited.