Clyde Lowery, executive director of student publications at the University of Arizona from 1973 – 1989, passed away April 11, 2010. During his tenure Clyde led the Wildcat to unprecedented growth, moved it from typesetting machines to computers, and most of all, mentored hundreds of student journalists. If you worked with Clyde, please post your memories or thoughts about him by using the “Leave a Comment” link beneath the “Clyde D. Lowery” headline. You can email photos for us to post too. We’ll share comments and photos with his family.
Photo of Clyde Lowery and Eric Swedlund, winner of the first annual “Clyde D. Lowery Award for Professionalism and Integrity in Journalism Award” in 2001
Daily Wildcat Alumni 
Clyde was one of the true gentleman of this world. Always thoughtful and comfortable to be around. I’m proud to have known him
Clyde’s ability to maintain his stately demeanor, tranquil disposition, wisdom and wit were even more remarkable given the impudent, irreverent young journalists whose company he kept for all those years. We were all very fortunate to have known him.
RIP Clyde…
I’m probably one of the students who helped turn Clyde’s hair white, but he was always a class act. I learned a to from him, some of it even about journalism.
I knew Clyde from high school days onward. We worked together on the Douglas Daily Dispatch (he wrote every headline in the paper) and on the Tucson Daily Citizen, where his integrity was, to me, a mainstay of the paper. We have been friends with the family since 1951, and our hearts go out to them.
Clyde was such a special person. I was so sorry to hear of such a great loss. He always made me laugh. I will always cherish his memory.
Clyde Lowery was a father figure to me, and at the same time a wonderful mentor. I got to know him when I worked as assistant editor of the UA’s Desert yearbook. His door was always open, and he always had time to listen to us whine, even when it had nothing to do with journalism. He also made time for us when we just wanted to stop by the office to bug him and/or Faith. They were part of the Wildcat-extended family. When I worked on the news and arts desks at the Wildcat, I loved how he checked in on us – daring to step into our beautiful digs in the Student Union basement. He was funny, and when everything seemed chaotic, he always remained calm. Thank you, Clyde.
Thank you for all your kind commets about Dad. Working with all of you was one of the happiest times of his life. He was so proud and honored to work for the Wildcat and loved his staff, he was very proud of all of you.
I will miss Dad so much and even through all of his pain and illness, his sence of humor and wit still remained.
So sorry to let you go, Clyde. What a fine example you lived for us…. There’s no way to sum up in this little box what Clyde meant to us at the Wildcat. He was a leader, a mentor, a teacher, an editor, a shield against the administration and other outside influences. I advise the Chicago Maroon largely in an effort to give back what Clyde gave to us, and I don’t do it half as well.
… and I still carry the linotype key you gave me, Clyde: as a symbol and an artifact of journalism’s finest….
I had the privilege to work with Clyde during 1982-83 when I sold advertising for the Wildcat. Clyde had a sense for ethics and professionalism that helped shape my career going forward. I appreciated the time he spent mentoring those of us who had little or no experience. He was a true leader when we needed one.
In a story much too long to post here, I’ll never forget sitting across from Clyde at his massive (at least it seemed at the time) desk and NOT getting fired. 31 years ago and I remember it like it was yesterday. Clyde, thanks for all you did for me and more importantly, what you did for the Wildcat.
I am so sorry to hear this news. I will always remember Clyde as a caring and gentle, steady and faithful presence floating in and out of the newsroom in the late 80s, obviously proud of his flock. Though I was an introverted cartoonist who tried to sneak in and out of student publications with little notice, I now know-courtesy of Faith- that he did notice me, and supported me, just as he supported every kid in that newsroom. I really appreciate all the time and love he gave to the Wildcat and other student publications. It wouldn’t have been the same without him.
What a great man. I wish his family the best during this trying time. My prayers are with Clyde and his family. What a noble guy. He did for others before himself. He left a real impression — both on the journalism profession and with those for whom had the opportunity to work with/for him. I’m sad. Even though it’s been 30+ years.
I first knew Clyde (and Dave Feldman) when they worked at the Douglas Daily Dispatch in 1948-49 and I was a Douglas High School student interested in journalism. I used to hang around the newsroom and occasionally cover some high school sports events for the Dispatch. Eight years later, after a hitch in the Navy as a Naval Journalist and two years at the U of A as a journalism major, I worked at the Tucson Citizen with both gentlemen — who were news editors and I as the summer night police reporter. In 1958 I became a full-fledged reporter on the Citizen staff and worked with them for the next two years. Clyde was a tough but fair editor. Just recently, when the Citizen ceased publication, I wrote a short comment about my time there, and Clyde “tracked” me down based on my email address.
I worked at the Wildcat part time during most of my time at U of A (1986-1991). I was sad to see that Clyde had passed away recently. Clyde was a very cool man – he had a great sense of humor and I enjoyed talking to him every time I had an opportunity. He did a lot of positive things for the Wildcat and had a lot of positive influence on people. He was a great person.