Arnold Ismach, former dean of the UO School of Journalism and Communication, died unexpectedly at his Eugene home Wednesday, Jan. 13, at the age of 84.

His daughter told The Register-Guard that his cause of death was likely a stroke or a cardiac-related problem. An article published Friday, Jan. 16, acknowledged Ismach’s academic and professional accomplishments as well as his contributions to the Eugene and UO community.

Praise and condolences from fellow journalists and friends from around the community, state and country stacked up on social media as word of Ismach’s passing spread, including a Facebook post by Eugene Mayor Kitty Piercy.

“I am saddened this morning by the passing of my good friend and mentor, former dean of (the) UO Journalism School, Arnold Ismach,” Piercy wrote. “Arnold could be counted on for good advice, humor, support, and of course chocolate. He was thoughtful, kind and generous. Thank you Arnold for all those years of being there for me and so many others. A very well lived life.”

Ismach was dean of the journalism school between 1985 and 1994 and continued to teach as a professor emeritus at the school until his official retirement in 2000. A member of the Society of Professional Journalists since 1950, Ismach also directed the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association and the Oregon Association of Broadcasters while he was dean. His career in journalism spanned five decades.

Ismach’s family, friends and colleagues remember him as an extremely civic-minded person who constantly contributed letters to the editor of several Oregon publications and was always engaged with his local community.

To view The Register-Guard’s story on Ismach, click here.