Categories: OLD Media Moves

Ropa, publisher of Eau Claire biz publication, dies at 53

Dan Ropa

Dan Ropa, who published The Bottom Line business news publication in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, for nearly 30 years, died Tuesday at the age of 53.

Samantha West of The Leader-Telegram writes, “‘Dan was such a great guy,’ said Linda John, executive director of Visit Eau Claire. ‘He was such a hustler — that’s the word that comes to mind … He had so many things on his plate at all times, and that was just him.’

“A native of Illinois, Ropa came to Eau Claire to take a job in news radio at WEAQ-FM. Not long after, Ropa started his own business, Ropa Publishing, and launched his own Eau Claire newsletter, The Bottom Line, in 1988.

“The publication was known for its unique community and business coverage as well as Ropa’s commentary.

“‘I think everybody enjoyed relying on his Bottom Line to get the ins and outs of the community,’ said Bob McCoy, former president of the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce.”

Read more here.

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.

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