Asheville News

News obit: Cleve Mathews, NPR’s first news director

Jason Sandford January 19, 2011

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

Jody Evans, executive director of Asheville’s public radio station WCQS, posts this on her Facebook page:

One of public radio’s pioneers just passed away and I was lucky to call him my friend. Cleve Mathews, NPR’s first News Director, died on Friday, Jan 14 in Asheville. He interviewed me for my current job and then provided great counsel once I started. Just a month ago he gave me an original copy of his memo the philosophy behind NPR news. He leaves behind him a legacy of people who will carry on a tradition of public broadcasting that meant so much to him.

I knew Mathews as a retired journalism professor who was active in UNCA’s Center for Creative Retirement, and as a local government observer here in Asheville. Saddened to hear of his passing.

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

Robert Plant concert question: Who was the guy who jumped on stage and mugged for pix at concert’s end?

Big Sam’s Funky Nation ready to play Pisgah Brewing on Saturday

2 Comments

Sue Schumacher January 20, 2011

How sad. I heard news of Cleve's passing last night while listening to All things Considered at my home in Urbana, IL. I was fortunate enough to have trained as a Community mediator and then mediated many times with Cleve when I was a volunteer mediator and then staff member at The Mediation Center in mid 1990s. He was a wonderful role-model, kind, witty and very eloquent. I fell honored to have been his friend and colleague. He will be missed.

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KAREN CRAGNOLIN January 19, 2011

Cleve gone? I cant believ it. He is a kind and gentle soul

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