Background
Otwell, Ralph Maurice was born on June 17, 1926 in Hot Springs, Arkansas, United States. Son of Walter Clement and Pearl Oda (Tisdale) Otwell.
Otwell, Ralph Maurice was born on June 17, 1926 in Hot Springs, Arkansas, United States. Son of Walter Clement and Pearl Oda (Tisdale) Otwell.
Student, University Arkansas, 1947-1948; Bachelor of Science, Northwestern University, 1951; postgraduate (Nieman fellow), Harvard, 1959-1960.
Reporter, telegraph editor Southern Newspapers, Inc., Hot Springs, 1943-1944, 47. Assistant city editor Chicago Sun-Times, 1953-1959, news editor, 1959-1963, assistant managing editor, 1963-1965, assistant to editor, 1965-1968, managing editor, 1968-1976, editor, 1976-1980, executive vice president, editor, 1980-1984. Management board newspaper division Field Enterprises, Inc., 1967-1984.
Lecturer Medill School Journalism, Northwestern University, since 1955. Charter member National News Council, 1973-1980. Coordinator Northwestern Institute Learning in Retirement, since 1992, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, since 2007.
Trustee Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, 1965-1979. Member national board Christian Social Concerns, United Methodist Church, 1968-1972. Member board Community Renewal Society, 1987-1990, Chicago Reporter, 1987-1990, student publications Northwestern University, 1968-1972.
Served to 1st lieutenant Army of the United States, 1944-1947, 51-53. Member American Society Newspaper Editors (chairman ethics committee 1976-1977), Associated Press Managing Editors Association, Society Professional Journalists (director 1966-1971, secretary 1971-1972, vice president 1972-1973, president 1973-1974), Northwestern University Alumni Association (director 1965-1968, 91-93, secretary 1993-1994, Merit award 1969, Service award 1995, chair seminar day committee 2001-2002), Sigma Delta Chi (president 1987-1989), Kappa Tau Alpha, Economic Club, Headline Club (president Chicago chapter 1965-1966), Harvard Club Chicago, Chicago Press Club (director 1968-1977), Northwestern Club.
Married Janet Barbara Smith, July 18, 1953. Children— Brian Thornton, Douglas Keith, David Smith.