FORMER PUBLISHER R. WOLPERS DIES

POPLAR BLUFF -- Robert M. Wolpers, editor and publisher of the Poplar Bluff Daily American Republic for nearly half a century, has died.

Wolpers, 84, died Friday at Doctors Regional Medical Center in the southeast Missouri town.

Wolpers' parents, John H. and Hattie Kinder Wolpers, founded the newspaper in 1916. Robert Wolpers took over at his father's request in 1942. He retired in 1988 when the family-owned newspaper was sold to Woodward Communications of Dubuque, Iowa.

Wolpers served on several state and civic organizations. He was on the Missouri Park Board for 14 years. He was also a past president of the Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce and one-time chairman of its industrial development committee.

As publisher, he led the newspaper in support of several civic causes, including reestablishment of a public swimming pool in the 1950s, enhancement of local parks, flouridation of water, bond issues for better schools, and establishment of a community college.

But it was his advice on a personal level that often brought people from all walks of life into his office, where his open-door policy and willingness to listen were well regarded.

"He was a leader of all people, but he didn't do it in a boastful way," recalled Buddy Godwin, who caddied for Wolpers as a boy 50 years ago and who, like many, had sought his advice over the years. "The bookies, the drunks, the successful people, they all respected Bob Wolpers.

"He was always good to everybody," Godwin said.

Former Gov. Warren Hearnes, a Democrat, was a good friend of the Republican Wolpers. Hearnes recalled that Wolpers was liked by "both sides of the political fence. In other words, my Democrat friends thought a lot of him."

In his youth, Wolpers was a football and track star at Poplar Bluff High School and Southwest Missouri State University. Three of his high school track records remained unbroken for 30 years. He was an avid golfer who won numerous local tournaments. He made four holes-in-one during the 1980s.

Survivors include his wife, Blanche, two daughters and one son.