Slain sports editor eulogized at service

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Memories of slain sports editor Kent Heitholt abounded Monday, from his love of fun, food and family to his talent for putting athletics at all levels into perspective for readers of the Columbia Daily Tribune.

"We shared a vision of how a community newspaper ought to cover sports," Tribune managing editor Jim Robertson said in a eulogy for Heitholt, his colleague for five years. "He knew that the best sports writing is about people and not games."

Heitholt, 48, was found beaten to death early last Thursday on the Tribune's parking lot. He had just left the office, but lingered to feed a stray alley cat.

Columbia police are seeking two men seen walking from the scene by a member of the Tribune cleaning crew. There have been no arrests, said Capt. Eric Meyer.

Heitholt, who was cremated, is survived by his wife Deborah, son Vince, 18, and daughter Kali, 15.