Robert W. Chandler
Encyclopedia
Robert W. Chandler was an American
journalist
, businessman, and philanthropist
. He was the editor and publisher of The Bulletin
, a daily newspaper in Bend
, Oregon
. He ran the newspaper for 43 years. Chandler was the founder of Western Communications
, Inc., a company that owns and publishes newspapers in Oregon and California
. He was inducted into the Oregon Newspaper Hall of Fame in 2006.
. He grew up on the family's farm near Yuba City, California
. He attended Stanford University
, earning a degree in journalism. During World War II
, Chandler was a special agent in the United States Army
's Counter Intelligence Corps
. While in the Army, he served in Australia
, New Guinea
, the Philippines
, Korea
, and Japan
.
After leaving the Army, Chandler worked for a weekly newspaper that served the Burney
and Fall River Mills
area in northern California. Later, he took a job on the staff of The San Francisco Chronicle. He also worked as a reporter and bureau manager for United Press International
in a series of assignments in San Francisco, Los Angeles
, Phoenix
, Boise
, Helena
, and Portland, Oregon
. Chandler also worked for The Denver Post
for a time.
Chandler ran the newspaper for the next 43 years, first as The Bend Bulletin and after 1963 as the The Bulletin. During his tenure, Chandler brought new technology into his newspaper operation. Soon after he bought the paper in 1953, he expanded the photoengraving facilities. In 1956, he replaced the paper’s flatbed press with a new rotary press that printed 13,000 32-page sections per hour. The new press also allowed the paper to print photographs in color.
In 1966, Chandler moved The Bulletin to a new building on Hill Street in the southern part of Bend. As part of the move, Chandler installed a new offset press. The new press ended the need to produce hot-lead cast type
. It also improved the quality of the newspaper’s photographs. That same year, Chandler also began using wire service photos to supplement photograph taken by the paper’s staff photographers. A new Gross Urbanite offset press was installed in 1980. This new system could print 20,000 sections an hour.
Chandler’s interest in technology was not limited to printing machines. In the 1970s, he installed video display terminals to receive electronic feeds from the wire services. In the 1980s, he replaced the video displays with computers. In 1993, a new information systems department was added to The Bulletin organization. In 1996, The Bulletin established its presence on the internet by activating the bendbulletin.com domain. This gave the newspaper its own web-site, and provided its staff with e-mail connectivity.
Chandler remained engaged in the company’s business throughout his life. However, Chandler transferred ownership of Western Communications to his six children in the early 1990s, giving them seats on the board of directors. In 1993, his daughter, Elizabeth "Betsy" McCool, became chairwoman of the board.
Today, the Chandler family still owns the company. Western Communication’s publications include five Oregon newspapers and a weekly shoppers’ guide plus two California papers. It is headquartered in Bend, Oregon which is also the home of its flagship newspaper, "The Bulletin". Its publications include:
Western Communications maintains a presence on the internet through web-sites associated with the company’s newspapers. Their on-line sites publish feature articles, news, sports, community information, real estate and shopping advertisements, entertainment schedules, and tourist information. Each newspaper has a web-site, but their content varies. The Bulletins web-site, www.BendBulletin.com, is a complete daily newspaper on-line. Western Communication also maintains two real estate-related web-sites in the Bend area.
in Oregon's 2nd congressional district
. He won the Republican
nomination, but was defeated in the general election by the incumbent congressman, Al Ullman
.
In 1982, Chandler helped establish the High Desert Museum
near Bend. He was the institution’s largest financial donor for many years, contributing over $1 million to the museum. His gifts funded many of the museum's exhibits, publications, and educational programs. He also served as chairman of the museum’s board of directors in 1989 and 1990.
Chandler generously supported education programs at the University of Oregon
and Central Oregon Community College
. In 1983, Chandler established the Robert W. Chandler Journalism Scholarship at the University of Oregon. It awards scholarship to undergraduate students majoring in news-editorial at the university’s School of Journalism and Communications. In 1985, Chandler and his wife Nancy established the Nancy R. Chandler Visiting Scholar Program at Central Oregon Community College. The program brings renowned scholars to the college to present lectures and lead interactive workshops. The goal of the program is to expose the Central Oregon
community to a wide range of perspectives on world events.
In 1991, Chandler created the Robert W. Chandler Endowed Lecture Series in Journalism at the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication. The program hosts lectures by nationally known journalists that offer students the opportunity to engage renowned journalist in discussions about journalism and democracy.
Chandler was the national president of the Society of Professional Journalists
. He served on the board of directors for the American Society of Newspaper Editors
and the American Press Institute. He was a Pulitzer Prize
juror, a member of Harvard University
's Nieman Fellows selection committee, and a senior fellow of Columbia University
’s Freedom Forum Media Studies Center. In 1990, Chandler was named Oregon Philanthropist of the Year.
He was married to Nancy R. Chandler. The couple had six children: Bob, Elizabeth, Janet, Jean, Patsy, and Peggy. After Nancy’s death, Chandler married a second wife, Marjorie. He died of prostate cancer on 12 July 1996. Chandler was cremated and his ashes were scattered over the Three Sisters Wilderness Area as he requested.
The Chandler journalism scholarships and endowed lecture series still benefits students at the University of Oregon. At Central Oregon Community College, the Chandler visiting scholar program continues to host lectures and workshops for central Oregon students.
Every year, the Oregon chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists presents the Bob Chandler Rookie of the Year award to a young journalist. The rookie award recognizes a journalist who has demonstrated outstanding ability in less than two years working in the profession.
In 2006, the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association inducted Chandler into the Oregon Newspaper Hall of Fame. The hall of fame recognizes people who have made an enduring contribution to the newspaper profession in Oregon.
People of the United States
The people of the United States, also known as simply Americans or American people, are the inhabitants or citizens of the United States. The United States is a multi-ethnic nation, home to people of different ethnic and national backgrounds...
journalist
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
, businessman, and philanthropist
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
. He was the editor and publisher of The Bulletin
The Bulletin (Bend)
The Bulletin is the daily newspaper of Bend, Oregon, United States. The Bulletin is owned by Western Communications, a family-owned corporation founded by editor Robert W. Chandler. WesCom owns nine publications in Oregon and California.-History:...
, a daily newspaper in Bend
Bend, Oregon
Bend is a city in and the county seat of Deschutes County, Oregon, United States, and the principal city of the Bend, Oregon Metropolitan Statistical Area. Bend is Central Oregon's largest city, and, despite its modest size, is the de facto metropolis of the region, owing to the low population...
, Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
. He ran the newspaper for 43 years. Chandler was the founder of Western Communications
Western Communications
Western Communications, Inc. is an American newspaper publisher serving the states of Oregon and California. The family-owned company is based in Bend, Oregon and was founded by Robert W. Chandler...
, Inc., a company that owns and publishes newspapers in Oregon and California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. He was inducted into the Oregon Newspaper Hall of Fame in 2006.
Early life
Chandler was born on 12 May 1921 in Marysville, CaliforniaMarysville, California
Marysville is the county seat of Yuba County, California, United States. The population was 12,072 at the 2010 census, down from 12,268 at the 2000 census. It is included in the Yuba City Metropolitan Statistical Area, often referred to as the Yuba-Sutter Area after the two counties, Yuba and...
. He grew up on the family's farm near Yuba City, California
Yuba City, California
Yuba City is a Northern California city, founded in 1849. It is the county seat of Sutter County, California, United States. The population was 64,925 at the 2010 census....
. He attended Stanford University
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
, earning a degree in journalism. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Chandler was a special agent in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
's Counter Intelligence Corps
Counter Intelligence Corps
The Counter Intelligence Corps was a World War II and early Cold War intelligence agency within the United States Army. Its role was taken over by the U.S. Army Intelligence Corps in 1961 and, in 1967, by the U.S. Army Intelligence Agency...
. While in the Army, he served in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, New Guinea
New Guinea
New Guinea is the world's second largest island, after Greenland, covering a land area of 786,000 km2. Located in the southwest Pacific Ocean, it lies geographically to the east of the Malay Archipelago, with which it is sometimes included as part of a greater Indo-Australian Archipelago...
, the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
, Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
, and Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
.
After leaving the Army, Chandler worked for a weekly newspaper that served the Burney
Burney, California
Burney is an unincorporated town and census-designated place in Shasta County, California, United States. The population was 3,154 at the 2010 census, down from 3,217 at the 2000 census...
and Fall River Mills
Fall River Mills, California
Fall River Mills is an unincorporated town and census-designated place in Shasta County, California, United States. The population was 573 as of the 2010 census.-Production & Industry:The community is known for its agriculture...
area in northern California. Later, he took a job on the staff of The San Francisco Chronicle. He also worked as a reporter and bureau manager for United Press International
United Press International
United Press International is a once-major international news agency, whose newswires, photo, news film and audio services provided news material to thousands of newspapers, magazines and radio and television stations for most of the twentieth century...
in a series of assignments in San Francisco, Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
, Boise
Boise, Idaho
Boise is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Idaho, as well as the county seat of Ada County. Located on the Boise River, it anchors the Boise City-Nampa metropolitan area and is the largest city between Salt Lake City, Utah and Portland, Oregon.As of the 2010 Census Bureau,...
, Helena
Helena, Montana
Helena is the capital city of the U.S. state of Montana and the county seat of Lewis and Clark County. The 2010 census put the population at 28,180. The local daily newspaper is the Independent Record. The Helena Brewers minor league baseball and Helena Bighorns minor league hockey team call the...
, and Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
. Chandler also worked for The Denver Post
The Denver Post
-Ownership:The Post is the flagship newspaper of MediaNews Group Inc., founded in 1983 by William Dean Singleton and Richard Scudder. MediaNews is today one of the nation's largest newspaper chains, publisher of 61 daily newspapers and more than 120 non-daily publications in 13 states. MediaNews...
for a time.
Bend Bulletin
Robert W. Sawyer owned and published The Bend Bulletin from 1919 to 1953. In 1953, he put the newspaper up for sale. Sawyer received offers from several large newspaper chains, but eventually sold the newspaper to Chandler. To make the purchase affordable, Sawyer only required a $6,000 down payment.Chandler ran the newspaper for the next 43 years, first as The Bend Bulletin and after 1963 as the The Bulletin. During his tenure, Chandler brought new technology into his newspaper operation. Soon after he bought the paper in 1953, he expanded the photoengraving facilities. In 1956, he replaced the paper’s flatbed press with a new rotary press that printed 13,000 32-page sections per hour. The new press also allowed the paper to print photographs in color.
In 1966, Chandler moved The Bulletin to a new building on Hill Street in the southern part of Bend. As part of the move, Chandler installed a new offset press. The new press ended the need to produce hot-lead cast type
Hot metal typesetting
In printing and typography, hot metal typesetting refers to 19th-century technologies for typesetting text in letterpress printing. This method injects molten type metal into a mold that has the shape of one or more glyphs...
. It also improved the quality of the newspaper’s photographs. That same year, Chandler also began using wire service photos to supplement photograph taken by the paper’s staff photographers. A new Gross Urbanite offset press was installed in 1980. This new system could print 20,000 sections an hour.
Chandler’s interest in technology was not limited to printing machines. In the 1970s, he installed video display terminals to receive electronic feeds from the wire services. In the 1980s, he replaced the video displays with computers. In 1993, a new information systems department was added to The Bulletin organization. In 1996, The Bulletin established its presence on the internet by activating the bendbulletin.com domain. This gave the newspaper its own web-site, and provided its staff with e-mail connectivity.
Western Communications
Chandler was the founder Western Communications, Inc., a corporation that owns a chain of local newspapers in Oregon and California. After acquiring The Bend Bulletin in 1953, he slowly expanded his newspaper holdings. He eventually combined his newspapers in a single corporation, Western Communications, Inc.Chandler remained engaged in the company’s business throughout his life. However, Chandler transferred ownership of Western Communications to his six children in the early 1990s, giving them seats on the board of directors. In 1993, his daughter, Elizabeth "Betsy" McCool, became chairwoman of the board.
Today, the Chandler family still owns the company. Western Communication’s publications include five Oregon newspapers and a weekly shoppers’ guide plus two California papers. It is headquartered in Bend, Oregon which is also the home of its flagship newspaper, "The Bulletin". Its publications include:
- Baker City HeraldBaker City HeraldThe Baker City Herald is a tri-weekly paper published in Baker City, Oregon, United States, since 1870. It is published on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays by Western Communications and has a circulation of 2,715. The Herald was formerly the newspaper of record for Baker County...
, published in Baker City, OregonBaker City, OregonBaker City is a city in and the county seat of Baker County, Oregon, United States. It was named after Edward D. Baker. The population was 9,828 at the 2010 census.-History:... - The Bulletin, published in Bend, Oregon
- Central Oregon Nickel Ads, published in Bend, Oregon
- Curry Coastal PilotCurry Coastal PilotThe Curry Coastal Pilot is a biweekly paper published in Brookings, Oregon, United States, since 1946. It is published on Wednesdays and Saturdays by Western Communications and has a circulation of 6,439....
, published in Brookings, OregonBrookings, OregonBrookings is a city in Curry County, Oregon, United States. It was named after John E. Brookings, president of the Brookings Lumber and Box Company, which founded the city in 1908. As of the 2010 census the population was 6,336. The total population of the Brookings area is over 13,000, which... - The ObserverThe Observer (La Grande)The Observer, established in 1896, is a newspaper that serves Union and Wallowa counties in the U.S. state of Oregon. Its headquarters are in La Grande, the county seat of Union County. The Observer circulates every day except Sunday to more than 14,000 people...
, published in La Grande, OregonLa Grande, Oregon-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 12,327 people, 5,124 households, and 2,982 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,833.5 people per square mile . There were 5,483 housing units at an average density of 1,260.3 per square mile... - The Redmond SpokesmanThe Redmond SpokesmanThe Redmond Spokesman is a weekly newspaper published in Redmond, Oregon. The paper serves the city of Redmond and neighboring communities in northern Deschutes County, focusing on local news and events. It has a circulation of about 2,700. The Spokesman was founded in 1910 by Henry H. Palmer...
, published in Redmond, OregonRedmond, OregonRedmond is a city in Deschutes County, Oregon, United States. Incorporated on July 6, 1910, the city is located on the eastern side of Oregon's Cascade Range, in the High Desert, and is considered the geographical heart of Central Oregon... - The Daily TriplicateThe Daily TriplicateThe Daily Triplicate is a semi-daily newspaper, published Tuesday through Saturday based in Crescent City, California. It is owned by Western Communications, who also publish The Bulletin in Bend, Oregon....
, published in Crescent City, CaliforniaCrescent City, CaliforniaCrescent City is the county seat and only incorporated city in Del Norte County, California. Named for the crescent-shaped stretch of sandy beach south of the city, Crescent City had a total population of 7,643 in the 2010 census, up from 4,006 in the 2000 census... - The Union DemocratThe Union DemocratThe Union Democrat is a newspaper that serves the Sonora, California area. It is owned by Western Communications, who also publish The Bulletin in Bend, Oregon.-External links:*...
, published in Sonora, CaliforniaSonora, CaliforniaSonora is the county seat of Tuolumne County, California. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 4,903, up from 4,423 at the 2000 census. Sonora is the only incorporated community in Tuolumne County.-Geography:...
Western Communications maintains a presence on the internet through web-sites associated with the company’s newspapers. Their on-line sites publish feature articles, news, sports, community information, real estate and shopping advertisements, entertainment schedules, and tourist information. Each newspaper has a web-site, but their content varies. The Bulletins web-site, www.BendBulletin.com, is a complete daily newspaper on-line. Western Communication also maintains two real estate-related web-sites in the Bend area.
Civic leader
Throughout his life, Chandler was active in civic affairs. In 1962, Chandler ran for the United States House of RepresentativesUnited States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
in Oregon's 2nd congressional district
Oregon's 2nd congressional district
Oregon's 2nd congressional district is the largest of Oregon's five districts, and is the seventh largest district in the nation. The district covers roughly two-thirds of the state, east of the Willamette Valley...
. He won the Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
nomination, but was defeated in the general election by the incumbent congressman, Al Ullman
Al Ullman
Albert Conrad "Al" Ullman , was a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives who represented from 1957 to 1981...
.
In 1982, Chandler helped establish the High Desert Museum
High Desert Museum
The High Desert Museum is located near Bend, Oregon, United States. Opened in 1982, it brings regional wildlife, culture, art and natural resources together to promote an understanding of natural and cultural heritage of North America’s high desert country...
near Bend. He was the institution’s largest financial donor for many years, contributing over $1 million to the museum. His gifts funded many of the museum's exhibits, publications, and educational programs. He also served as chairman of the museum’s board of directors in 1989 and 1990.
Chandler generously supported education programs at the University of Oregon
University of Oregon
-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
and Central Oregon Community College
Central Oregon Community College
Central Oregon Community College is a community college located in Bend, Oregon. It primarily serves residents of Deschutes, Jefferson, and Crook Counties.-Programs and degrees:...
. In 1983, Chandler established the Robert W. Chandler Journalism Scholarship at the University of Oregon. It awards scholarship to undergraduate students majoring in news-editorial at the university’s School of Journalism and Communications. In 1985, Chandler and his wife Nancy established the Nancy R. Chandler Visiting Scholar Program at Central Oregon Community College. The program brings renowned scholars to the college to present lectures and lead interactive workshops. The goal of the program is to expose the Central Oregon
Central Oregon
Central Oregon is a geographic region in the U.S. state of Oregon and is traditionally considered to be made up of Deschutes, Jefferson, and Crook counties. Other definitions include larger areas, often encompassing areas to the north towards the Columbia River, eastward towards Burns, or south...
community to a wide range of perspectives on world events.
In 1991, Chandler created the Robert W. Chandler Endowed Lecture Series in Journalism at the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication. The program hosts lectures by nationally known journalists that offer students the opportunity to engage renowned journalist in discussions about journalism and democracy.
Chandler was the national president of the Society of Professional Journalists
Society of Professional Journalists
The Society of Professional Journalists , formerly known as Sigma Delta Chi, is one of the oldest organizations representing journalists in the United States. It was established in April 1909 at DePauw University, and its charter was designed by William Meharry Glenn. The ten founding members of...
. He served on the board of directors for the American Society of Newspaper Editors
American Society of Newspaper Editors
The American Society of News Editors is a membership organization for editors, producers or directors in charge of journalistic organizations or departments, deans or faculty at university journalism schools, and leaders and faculty of media-related foundations and training organizations...
and the American Press Institute. He was a Pulitzer Prize
Pulitzer Prize
The Pulitzer Prize is a U.S. award for achievements in newspaper and online journalism, literature and musical composition. It was established by American publisher Joseph Pulitzer and is administered by Columbia University in New York City...
juror, a member of Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
's Nieman Fellows selection committee, and a senior fellow of Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
’s Freedom Forum Media Studies Center. In 1990, Chandler was named Oregon Philanthropist of the Year.
He was married to Nancy R. Chandler. The couple had six children: Bob, Elizabeth, Janet, Jean, Patsy, and Peggy. After Nancy’s death, Chandler married a second wife, Marjorie. He died of prostate cancer on 12 July 1996. Chandler was cremated and his ashes were scattered over the Three Sisters Wilderness Area as he requested.
Legacy
During his life time, Chandler contributed both time and money to the High Desert Museum. In his will, Chandler funded a permanent endowment to support the museum. Today, the High Desert Museum honors patrons who support the museum with financial legacies by making them members of the Robert W. Chandler Society.The Chandler journalism scholarships and endowed lecture series still benefits students at the University of Oregon. At Central Oregon Community College, the Chandler visiting scholar program continues to host lectures and workshops for central Oregon students.
Every year, the Oregon chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists presents the Bob Chandler Rookie of the Year award to a young journalist. The rookie award recognizes a journalist who has demonstrated outstanding ability in less than two years working in the profession.
In 2006, the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association inducted Chandler into the Oregon Newspaper Hall of Fame. The hall of fame recognizes people who have made an enduring contribution to the newspaper profession in Oregon.