News Release
November, 2006
Allen Strunk Honored
Allen Strunk, publisher emeritus of the McCook Daily Gazette, has been selected as the second recipient of the McCook Community Foundation’s Benefactor Award.
Strunk was honored for outstanding community service during his years as publisher of the Gazette, and for establishing a charitable trust for the Community’s future needs.
Gene Morris, the current publisher of the newspaper, accepted the award on Allen’s behalf at the foundation’s 2006 recognition dinner at the Republican River Valley Event Center.
Gene read the following statement by Allen, who was not present for the ceremony:
Blessing To Give
“It is a blessing to be able to give or leave something to society and one’s hometown and it goes along with the philosophy of my father, who established the Gazette: ‘Service is the rent we pay for the space we occupy in this world.’”
The Benefactor Award is an engraved plaque sided with a detailed bison creation by Gary Ginther, a 1965 McCook High School graduate.
The only previous Benefactor Award was presented in 2004 to Eleanor Harris and her late husband, John T. Harris, Sr.
Born in McCook
Allen Strunk was born in McCook to Harry and Arlene Strunk on Dec. 31, 1929. He attended McCook schools, graduating from McCook High School in 1947. In the fall of his senior year, he played tackle on the McCook Bison’s 1946 state championship football team.
Allen attended the highly respected journalism school at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., and served in the U.S. Marine Corps in Korea.
Following military service, Allen came home to McCook, where he served as general manager, editor and publisher of the McCook Daily Gazette.
Community Leader
During his years in McCook, Allen Strunk was a leading force in numerous community fund drives. His leadership was crucial in the success of the campaigns to raise money for Community Hospital, the Ed Thomas YMCA and buildings at McCook Community College.
In his ceaseless work for the community, Allen was an advocate for added parking in downtown McCook and was an integral part of the team that recruited Electric Hose & Rubber to McCook.
Numerous Holdings
His investments include ownership of farm properties in Southwest Nebraska and stock holdings in several Midwestern newspaper groups.
Allen’s honors include being named to the Nebraska Newspaper Hall of Fame. His father, Harry Strunk, was also honored as a newspaper Hall of Fame selection.
After selling the newspaper in 1986, Allen continued to show his dedication to the McCook community, establishing awards to recognize outstanding service by educators, public servants and volunteers.
Strong Voice
Allen had a strong editorial voice and a true belief in the betterment of McCook. It was because of his strong commitment to the community that he established the charitable trust to benefit the community.
“Allen Strunk’s gift will make a difference in the betterment of McCook and it will affect thousands of people for years to come,” said Denise Ringenberg, executive director of the McCook Community Foundation. “Allen Strunk epitomizes the purpose of the McCook Community Foundation,” she declared.
Photo courtesy of Olson Photography