Retired Wisconsin State Journal biz editor Franzmann dies at 86

Bob Franzmann

Bob Franzmann, who joined the Wisconsin State Journal in 1963 and was its business editor from 1988 to 1994, died on Aug. 19 at the age of 86.

Molly Devore of the State Journal writes, “Franzmann was also a friendly ‘people person’ who enjoyed interviewing and connecting with sources, Kate Franzmann recalled.

“‘He was drawn to being out in the field and out in the community, listening to people,’ she said.

Franzmann was instrumental in establishing the State Journal’s business section, Sereno said, calling him ‘one of the unsung heroes of the newsroom.’ His interest in entrepreneurs and his dedication to building trust among sources and readers continued to shape the newspaper’s coverage long after he left, Sereno said.”

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Chris Roush

Chris Roush was the dean of the School of Communications at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut. He was previously Walter E. Hussman Sr. Distinguished Professor in business journalism at UNC-Chapel Hill. He is a former business journalist for Bloomberg News, Businessweek, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Tampa Tribune and the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. He is the author of the leading business reporting textbook "Show me the Money: Writing Business and Economics Stories for Mass Communication" and "Thinking Things Over," a biography of former Wall Street Journal editor Vermont Royster.