Paul Clinton
CIVIC CENTER -- Hailed by state Sen. Adam Schiff as a "boundless
optimist," longtime Burbank Leader, Foothill Leader and Glendale
News-Press columnist Bob Young Sr. was honored during a brief but
heartfelt ceremony at Burbank City Hall.
Schiff (D-Burbank) presented Young with a state Senate resolution
honoring his service to Burbank, Glendale and the foothill communities at
Tuesday's City Council meeting. Young, who laid down his pen in November
after 17 years of reporting good deeds, also received a commendation from
the City Council.
During his journalism career, which began after he retired from the
printing business, Young, 88, brought the activities of service clubs --
the Kiwanis, Elks, Rotary and others -- into the public eye.
"Through his reactivation of service clubs, he has improved the
quality of life in these communities immeasurably," Schiff said.
"I told them if I knew they were going to do all that, I would have
retired a long time ago. And often," Young quipped Wednesday.
Young, who lives in La Canada Flintridge, said his column was a place
where readers could always find positive news.
While all aspects of the news should be covered, Young said, the good
deeds of service clubs deserve special praise.
Young and his wife, Claire, were born in Rhode Island and moved to
California with their two children in 1946. As a resident of La Canada
Flintridge, Young owned several printing businesses. After a 50-year
printing career, he retired and began writing about local service clubs.
Young said he plans to spend his retirement hours restoring antique
furniture. He'll also work to renew interest in the La Canada Optimist
club among other pursuits.
"I'm going (into retirement) a lot more for the great Southern
California pastime of the siesta," Young said.
