[August 10, 2025] – Franklin Dunn Schurz Jr., Longtime CEO and Chairman Emeritus of Schurz Communications, Community and Education Advocate, Dies at 94

A lifelong leader in journalism, Schurz dedicated decades to strengthening local media, advancing education opportunities, and fostering civic engagement.

Franklin Dunn Schurz, Jr. passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 94 on August 10, 2025. A resident of Bozeman, MT, Frank was born in South Bend, IN, on May 22, 1931.

For those who knew him, Frank was a humble, thoughtful, and caring man. He never sought accolades as he simply did the right thing because it was the right thing to do. He was not one for fanfare or big to-dos, so he would be thoroughly embarrassed by the list of accomplishments, service, philanthropy, and awards below. But they tell the story of a life well lived.

Family and his family’s business meant the world to Frank. He dedicated most of his life to both. Most recently, he served as Chairman Emeritus of the Schurz Communications, Inc. Board of Directors, headquartered in South Bend/Mishawaka, Indiana, a company established in 1872. Throughout his distinguished career, he held numerous leadership roles within the organization, including Chief Executive Officer from 1982 to 2007, and various positions within Schurz’s newspapers, television, and radio divisions. Among these was a role at WSBT Radio, where he also contributed on-air. But his very first job with the family business was as a paperboy for the South Bend Tribune, and he went on to serve as its Publisher before ultimately becoming CEO.

Civic-minded, Frank loved the greater Michiana area where he lived for decades. He served on many local boards and councils, including the Culver Educational Foundation Board, the Board of Regents of St. Mary’s College, the Advisory Council for the College of Arts and Letters at Notre Dame University, the South Bend/Mishawaka Area Chamber of Commerce, the Advisory Board for Indiana University South Bend, the Indiana Chapter of The Nature Conservancy, and the United Way of St. Joseph County. He also took on leadership roles in numerous other industry, educational, and conservation boards and clubs.

Deeply committed to quality journalism and freedom of speech, Frank was recognized with numerous honors, including the NAB Chuck Sherman Award, the Casey Award from the University of Minnesota, the AWRT Achievement Award from the American Women in Radio and Television, the Frank Rogers Award from the Rotary Club of South Bend, the Presidential Award of Merit from the National Newspaper Association, the Lifetime Achievement Silver Award from the Michiana Ad Club, and the 2014 Indiana Broadcasters Association Lifetime Achievement Award.

Frank was a graduate of Culver Military Academy in Culver, IN, and earned both a BA and MBA from Harvard University in Cambridge, MA. He also received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Indiana University in 2015. While at Harvard, Frank served in the United States Army Reserve, holding the rank of Captain in the Artillery.

An avid outdoorsman, Frank loved conservation, fishing, hunting, skiing, and travel. Having explored numerous countries around the world, he was especially proud to have visited both the North and South Poles.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Franklin Sr. and Martha Schurz, as well as his siblings, Jim, Scott Sr., and Mary Schurz. He is survived by seven nephews and one niece. There are no services planned at this time. His family will miss him greatly, and though he is gone, the example he set will last for generations.

A champion of education and the environment, Frank gave generously to educational institutions’ scholarship programs and environmental causes. In lieu of flowers, his family asks that those who wish to honor him consider giving to similar causes in his name.