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Van, ex-Chicago Tribune tech reporter, passes away at 75

Jon Van

Jon Van, a tech reporter for the Chicago Tribune, died Thursday at the age of 75, according to a story in the paper.

James O’Shea, former Tribune managing editor, offered this statement: “He knew his stuff, and created a space in the paper that really distinguished it for its scientific coverage, which was a hallmark of the Tribune for many years.”

O’Shea also worked with Van at the Des Moines Register.

Van wrote for the Tribune for 34 years, where he covered topics such as medicine, pollution, solar power, wireless communications, and more. He joined the Tribune in 1973, and quickly shifted his focus toward science.

He was known for making complex scientific developments easy for readers to understand. Van retired from the Tribune in 2008.

A celebration of life service is currently being planned.

Erica Thompson

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