Rust COO dies in accident

Wally Lage, vice president and chief operating officer of Rust Communications, parent company of the Spencer Daily Reporter, Dickinson County News and Storm Lake Pilot-Tribune, died Thursday night in Maine, after slipping off a wharf. He was 66.

The Associated Press reported that emergency workers were alerted Thursday evening when Lage fell into the water and failed to surface. Deputies say Lage and friends were unloading a boat after an outing to Portland. One of the witnesses jumped into the water but couldn't find him. Emergency workers performed CPR, but Lage was pronounced dead at Mid Coast Hospital.

"Our hearts are aching right now," said Jon K. Rust, co-president of Rust Communications and Southeast Missourian publisher. "Wally was not only a tremendous newspaperman but a great friend -- and a rock for his family. May they feel the love of all who've known, admired and respected a remarkable man."

Lage was widely known in the newspaper industry. He was also very active in the Cape Girardeau, Mo., community, headquarters of Rust Communications. Among many involvements, he was a longtime member of the Lions Club and the Saint Francis Medical Center board of directors. He served on boards of numerous newspaper organizations and was a member of the Missouri Press Association Hall of Fame.

Lage began his newspaper career in 1969 with Winsor Newspapers in Canton, Ill. By age 25, he was publisher of the Boonville Daily News and publisher of free publications in Jefferson City, Mo., and Columbia, Mo.

Before joining Rust Communications, Lage was president of newspaper operations in the Paxton Media Group and general manager of the Paducah Sun. He oversaw acquisitions of several daily and weekly newspapers.

At Rust Communications, he oversaw the acquisition or startup of about 50 newspaper titles in eight states, including 13 daily newspapers.

Gary Rust, board chairman of Rust Communications said, "I cannot express how important Wally has been to Rust Communications and the industry by his Christian example and forthright management style. Our prayers are with his family, and he will be missed more than he would have ever guessed."