Harry J. Deitz and Harry J. Deitz Jr. spent a combined 88 (45 for Jr.) years working in the newspaper business — 116 years if Harry Sr.’s post-retirement freelance work is included. Both began their careers as photographers in Shamokin, Pa., 25 years apart, and then became reporters, sports editors, and editors. Each has written a previous book. Harry Sr. was commissioned to write the history of Knoebels for the amusement park’s 75^th anniversary. The Reading Eagle produced a two-volume collection of Harry Jr.’s columns that were written and published during his 10 years as editor-in-chief of the newspaper.

Harry J. Deitz Jr. worked in the newspaper business for 45 years as a photographer, sportswriter, sports editor, design editor, and editor before he retired in 2018 after 10 years as editor-in-chief of the Reading Eagle, Reading, Pa.

In his weekly “Editor’s Notebook” column, he wrote extensively about his family – parents, grandparents, three children, and especially six grandchildren – and shared his personal story of his six years as the primary caregiver for his late wife during her battle with Parkinson’s disease and cancer.

He has served as president and board member of the Pennsylvania Newsmedia Association and the Pennsylvania Associated Press Managing Editors and has won numerous awards for his columns, sportswriting, and newspaper design work.

In his spare time, he has hiked the entire Pennsylvania section of the Appalachian Trail and has read every book by novelist Ken Follett.

Harry is a native of Shamokin, Pa., where he followed his father into newspaper work.

Harrydeitz.com