Get out there! Get me some news for my paper!

With that call to action, Dave Kranz mobilized reporters and photographers to hurry off in pursuit of the news. During his long career that in particular featured editor’s positions at the Mitchell Daily Republic and the Sioux Falls Argus Leader, he shaped his journalism from a native son’s perspective and knowledge of South Dakota and its people, and a love for current events.

He was a reporter who advanced in management to become managing editor and editor, but never stopped being a reporter. That meant he would often show up in the Argus Leader newsroom with notes scribbled on empty doughnut bags or coffee-shop receipts because he found a meaningful interview while out in the community.

And he was always out in the community — watching, listening, seeking a better understanding of the people of South Dakota, their challenges, needs and hopes

A grown-up Catholic kid from Kranzburg, Kranz developed a reputation as a political pundit. And his political columns influence the thinking of a generation of South Dakotans. Thousands would open their Sunday paper with a “Let’s see what Kranz has to say.”

On a more direct level, he would respond personally to calls from readers complaining about coverage, offering tips and advice or even asking why their newspaper hadn’t arrived. On more than one occasion, David left the Argus Leader newsroom with a copy of the day’s newspaper, which he would hand deliver to callers at their homes.

Once when a strong wind blew away a subscriber’s paper and also blew open and broke the glass in a storm door, Dave responded to the call from the elderly subscriber by driving to her home with a replacement paper. He also swept up the broken glass.

David was known and admired by the state’s most prominent politicians, religious and education leaders and business people for decades. But he particularly loved conversations with those some might call the little people, or the citizens that are often overlooked and marginalized. His ear and his heart were always open to their concerns and personal experiences, many of which ended up in newspaper stories or columns, written or assigned by him.

Kranz was an essential part of the community wherever he worked. He was also central to the newsroom community, and rarely forgot the birthday or graduation of a colleague’s child. I know, because some of those celebratory cards, often with a little cash inside, were left on my desk for my kids.

David can no longer “get out there” and get the news, or direct those who do. But he is remembered and honored for his essential role in that process, which benefitted the news business and news consumers for more than a generation.

He is certainly worthy of induction into the South Dakota Hall of Fame.

Kevin Woster