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.
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