Austin C. Wehrwein, a business reporter who brought home a Pulitzer Prize for international reporting to The Milwaukee Journal, died earlier this week at the age of 92.
Amy Rabideau Silversof the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel writes, “Wehrwein won the prize for international reporting, writing a 25-part series called ‘Canada’s New Century.’ Wehrwein died of natural causes Tuesday at home in St. Paul, Minn. He was 92.
“Wehrwein traveled Canada coast to coast — by foot, train, plane and car — often writing on the run in hotel rooms. His stories told of Canadian economic development from the point of view of the everyday citizen. Wehrwein reported from the nation’s wheat fields and pulpwood forests, new natural gas and oil fields, developing mine operations, the docks of Toronto and Montreal, and the port of Vancouver.
“The series brought recognition of a neighbor and an economy that many Americans knew little about — and praise from Canadian officials, who hailed the series as ‘a most lucid and observant account’ that could only help to ‘foster good relations between our two countries.’
“Wehrwein was born in Austin, Texas, and raised in Madison. By the time he graduated from Madison’s West High School, all he wanted to do was be a newspaperman.
“‘Dad was one of those fortunate souls who envision what they want to do with their life as a young person and then pretty much manage to live out the dream,’ said his son, Peter Wehrwein.”
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