Arthur "Art" Paul Gallagher, the longest serving editor of The Ann Arbor News, died Monday at Glacier Hills Senior Living Community at the age of 99.

Gallagher’s daughter, Jean Wilkins, said he remained active in recent years, writing an occasional article and playing golf at Barton Hills and Ann Arbor Golf and Outing Club until he was 96.

“He was just very lucky,” she said.

Art Gallagher

Wilkins said Gallagher was not ill, but “slowed down” during the few weeks before his death.

Gallagher, who was born in Manistique, began his journalism career while still a high school student, working part-time at the Daily Tribune. He began his career with The Ann Arbor News in 1937 as a farm and county editor and reporter. He served as telegraph editor at The News from 1941 to 1950 and as news editor from 1950 to 1954. He served as editor of The Ann Arbor News for 22 years, from 1954 to 1976 — becoming the paper's longest serving editor.

Gallagher was active in a number of professional journalism organizations and served as president of the Michigan Press Association, the University Press Club and the Michigan Associated Press Editorial Association, according to his obituary.

While her father wrote most of his own obituary, Wilkins said, it was more a reflection of his professional life and accomplishments than his personal life.

Things that weren’t mentioned, she said, were his “strong sense of integrity, fairness and justice,” his subtle wit and his gentle nature.

“He was just a very kind, caring, person,” she said.

Geoff Larcom, executive director of media relations for Eastern Michigan University and a former reporter and sports editor at The Ann Arbor News, said Gallagher was a “true citizen journalist."

Former Ann Arbor News Editor Art Gallagher talks to Democratic nominee George McGovern during the 1972 presidential campaign.

File photo

“(Gallagher was an) extremely meaningful figure in the history of journalism in Ann Arbor,” Larcom said. “Overseeing the paper’s transition into … the modern era.”

Larcom said Gallagher was connected to the Ann Arbor community, was well-liked by his staff and knew officials well.

“He dealt with some significant issues and questions and volatile times when The Ann Arbor News’ coverage was challenged by people on the right as not being tough enough, and by people on the left as being too establishment,” Larcom recalled.

Larcom said Gallagher had a level of empathy and intelligence that people admired, as well as a sense of humor and a nice sense of irony.

Gallagher served on the boards of the American Red Cross, local unit of the American Cancer Society and of the March of Dimes, the county chapter of the Michigan Children’s Aid Society, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Ann Arbor Roundtable of Christians and Jews, among other forms of civic involvement, according to his obituary.

In 1936, Gallagher married Marjorie Lillian Niffenegger, and “and the two of them worked as a team while he was editor of The News,” according to his obituary. She preceded him in death.

After retiring from The News, Gallagher served as president and later secretary of the Ann Arbor Historical Foundation, as director of the 1977 Science Fair, as president of the U-M Emeritus Club, as alumni representative on the U-M’s committee on the economic status of the faculty, the U-M’s Historica Critica and the public relations committee of the Red Cross, according to the obituary.

He is survived by his daughter, Jean Wilkins, son Edward Gallagher, four grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and five nephews.

A memorial Mass will be celebrated at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 2250 E. Stadium Blvd., at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, followed by a reception. Burial will be in South Haven, where Gallagher grew up and met his wife.

Memorials may be made to the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, 301 N. Main St., to the Gallagher Family Fund, or to Glacier Hills Foundation, 1200 Earhart Road.