Obituaries

Memorial Service Saturday for Donald Gillmor, Retired U Journalism Profesor

Gillmor, 86, was a national expert on the First Amendment.

A memorial service for retired University of Minnesota journalism professor Donald Gillmor is scheduled for 4 p.m. Saturday (Feb. 23) at Roseville Memorial Chapel, 2245 N. Hamline Ave. Roseville.

Accordiing to his obituary, Gillmor, 86, died peacefully last week (Feb. 14). He was a resident, in his last days, at in Roseville.

Born in Ft. Francis, Ontario; Gillmor was a leading expert on media law and ethics and wrote several books on the subject. He earned his doctorate in mass communication from the University of Minnesota in 1961, and joined Minnesota's faculty in 1965.

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In 1984, Gillmor became founding director of the Sihla Center for the Study of Media Ethics and Law; in 1990, he was named the first Sihla professor of Media Ethics and Law, according to his obituary. 

Prior to joining the University of Minnesota, Gillmor was a member of the UND faculty from 1953 to 1965.

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"Don's distinguished contributions both as an educator and as a scholar brought national distinction to the School and the University of Minnesota," Albert Tims, director of the U of M School of Journalism and Mass Communication, said in an e-mail to U of M journalism alums.

Here is additional information from his obituary notice: "During his academic career, Gillmor received numerous teaching awards including in 2009 the U of M's School of Journalism and Mass Communications Alumni Society's Award for Excellence. 

Gillmor is survived by his wife of 63 years, Sophie; a daughter, Vivian Cathcart of Toronto (Francesco Perino); a son, Peter (Barbara), and grandsons, Steven Cathcart, and Kevin and Geoffrey Gillmor. He is also survived by brothers, Douglas (Donna Jean) and Alan (Susan).

A private interment. Memorials are preferrd to the University of Minnesota School of Journalism c/o Mary Achartz." 


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