Journalist Gerald Clausen, 71, dies

Elia Powers

He wore a tan or green leisure suit and often had a pipe in his

mouth. Co-workers say Gerald Andrew Clausen was a dedicated

journalist who enjoyed questioning authority.

Clausen, a Costa Mesa resident and former Daily Pilot reporter,

died Friday of cancer. He was 71.

“He was a true newspaper guy,” said Nancy Clausen, Jerry’s

daughter. “He was rough on the outside but was a very sweet and

giving person.”

Born in Ames, Neb., he studied journalism at what is now called

the University of Nebraska at Omaha. A United States Army corporal

during the Korean War, Clausen went to school using the GI Bill.

During college, he worked for the NBC network affiliate station in

Omaha as a photographer and reporter.

In 1960, Clausen moved to Orange County and took a job as managing

editor at the San Clemente Sun-Post.

He picked up the nickname “Grumblydog” for his often gruff

personality.

Clausen moved to Costa Mesa in 1971 and was a reporter,

photographer and copy editor at the Orange County Register.

Ruth Clausen, Jerry’s wife of 49 years, said her husband

interviewed the likes of Elizabeth Taylor, John Wayne, Richard Nixon

and Ronald Reagan while a reporter at the newspaper. He also covered

the Watts riots.

Ruth Clausen said her husband had lunch with Jimmy Carter shortly

before Carter was elected president.

“He told his co-workers, ‘That guy doesn’t have a chance,’” she

said.

Jerry Clausen worked for the Pilot in the late 1970s and early

1980s, when he worked primarily out of offices in Mission Viejo and

Huntington Beach.

“He was a very versatile newsman,” said Chuck Loos, a former

reporter and editor at the Daily Pilot. “He didn’t make mistakes. He

would always find a story and write it well.”

Added Steve Mitchell, a 15-year Pilot employee: “He always looked

for the truth, and he dug deep.”

After retiring from journalism, Clausen spent much of his time

volunteering at King of Glory Lutheran Church in Fountain Valley. His

memorial service is 6 p.m. tonight at that church.

Clausen is survived by his wife, Ruth Clausen; his daughters,

Nancy Clausen and Judy Owen; his son, Steven Clausen; his brother,

Keith Clausen; and one grandchild.