In Memoriam | Derek Dunn-Rankin

Even as Derek Dunn-Rankin approached his 90s, he kept true to certain rituals and routines. A big one: Every July Fourth he swam a mile across the Peace River.

Dunn-Rankin, say several people who knew him well, was faithfully consistent in many aspects of his life, particularly his devotion to his family and community journalism. The founder and chairman of the Charlotte County-based Sun Coast Media Group, a collection of daily, weekly and twice weekly newspapers, Dunn-Rankin died the weekend of April 16 at his home in Venice. He was 88.

“I can't imagine a Florida Press Association convention without Derek in his seersucker suit and bow tie,” says Matt Walsh, editor and CEO of the Observer Media Group, publisher of the Business Observer. “He was the dean of Florida newspaper entrepreneurs — and clearly looked and lived the part.”