Greb, Gordon 1921–

(Gordon Barry Greb)

PERSONAL: Born August 7, 1921, in Fremont, CA; son of Walter Herman (an engineer) and Irene Agnes (a homemaker; maiden name, Benbow) Greb; married Darlene Alcock (an educator), December 28, 1950; children: Gary Benbow, Darla Jean Greb Mazariegos. Ethnicity: "European." Education: University of California, Berkeley, A.A., B.A., 1947; University of Minnesota, M.A., 1951.

ADDRESSES: Home—69 Sky Mountain Cir., Chico, CA 95928. E-mail—[email protected].

CAREER: Writer, journalist, and educator. San Leandro News-Observer, San Leandro, CA, reporter, 1939–43, 1946–47; San Rafael Daily Independent, San Rafael, CA, reporter, 1947; San Bernardino Community College, San Bernardino, CA, instructor in English, 1949–50; University of Oregon, Eugene, began as instructor, became assistant professor, 1950–51; Columbia Broadcasting System, Hollywood, CA, news editor, 1951; Stanford University, Stanford, CA, assistant in political science, 1951–54; KSJO-Radio, San Jose, CA, news director, 1954–57; California State University, San Jose, professor of journalism and mass communications, 1956–90. Military service: U.S. Army, Infantry, 1943–46; became staff sergeant.

MEMBER: Society of Professional Journalists.

AWARDS, HONORS: Named distinguished broadcast educator, Radio-Television Division, Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communications, 1996.

WRITINGS:

The Benbow Family: California Pioneers, privately printed, 1994.

Charles Herrold, Inventor of Radio Broadcasting, McFarland and Co. (Jefferson, NC), 2003.

Contributor to periodicals and professional journals.

WORK IN PROGRESS: Gentle People: How It Was before World War II.

SIDELIGHTS: Gordon Greb told CA: "Although I've been a news reporter covering current events, the fact that what we do today will become history has always fascinated me. Not only do I desire to record what's happening, but I also want to make a special effort to insure that documents and recordings, whether written, spoken, or mechanically saved on film and tape, are preserved for future generations. Perhaps my chief motivation is best expressed by the philosopher Santayana, who said, 'Those who forget their history are condemned to repeat it.' Civilization and humanity have been built on knowledge. Ignorance is an evil we must try to avoid."