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Tim McGovern, The Herald's managing editor for three years in the first half of the 1980s, died Dec. 24 in Denver. He was 73. The cause was kidney failure.
McGovern had an English degree and had been a reporter at several newspapers, including most recently at the Denver Post and The Rocky Mountain News, before coming to Durango. He set high standards for readability, reporting accuracy, and proper composition, and was a good coach. But a reporter did not want to make the same grammatical mistake twice.
McGovern was known to readers for bringing the very popular Gridiron Green football contest to The Herald. Participants guessed the winners of the week's NFL games but then had to rank them based on how certain they were of the expected result. Many said the game took skill. About 1,200 people played the game - one entry only - and the top 50 or so scores appeared in the paper. So did the worst 20 scores, which reportedly discouraged some notable Durangoans from risking participating.
McGovern enjoyed virtual football, developing a large following. The Herald was an afternoon paper at the time, and after getting an early start on the day and finishing page 1 about 2:45 McGovern was off to a virtual football gathering.
The Herald won numerous journalism prizes under McGovern's leadership, including a sweepstake best-in-the-state among all circulation categories. A smaller paper was not expected to win the sweepstakes, and in subsequent years the contest created a "best" award for each category.
A full obituary for Tim McGovern appeared in the Sunday Jan 3, 2021 Denver Post.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Tim was a great editor and spirit, be it in the Herald newsroom or at a Denver magazine office. And such a big smile. He was great to work for and always valued your contributions. It's been a long time since I worked with him, but the memories remain clear and sharp of a lot of good times and journalistic accomplishments. Such a good man. RIP, Tim.
Kevin Graham
January 7, 2022
Tim was a great editor and spirit in the newsroom, be it at a magazine or newspaper. And such a big smile. He was great to work for and always valued your contributions. It's been a long time since I worked with him, but the memories remain clear and sharp of a lot of good times and journalistic accomplishments. Such a good man. RIP, Tim.
Kevin Graham
January 7, 2022
Life hasn't been the same without you, ever since I knew about your football and basketball contests, I was to do them every time. It was a privilege being acquainted with you, and doing your sports contests, you were a great guy, and I'm sure people adored you.
Tyler Krajicek
September 26, 2021
Michael Lund
August 21, 2021
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
January 8, 2021
A good buddy from long, long ago - many great memories of Tim and Grady. A life well lived.
Mike Doyle
Friend
January 4, 2021
People adored Tim. I was his roommate in 1971 in Lancaster, OH. He was a great guy. I reminesce about him regularly. He taught me a lot. RIP MY FRIEND.
Dave McClanahan Seminole, FL
David J McClanahan
January 3, 2021
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