Robert W. Bliss, former editor and co-publisher of The (Janesville) Gazette, spent his long life carrying on the tradition of the family newspaper.
After graduating from Dartmouth College in 1927, Bliss joined the staff of the newspaper that had been in his family since 1883. His first job involved hauling and melting down lead bars for the newspaper’s Linotype machine.
Bliss left to work two years at the Boston Globe before returning to work at the family’s first radio station, WCLO of Janesville. In 1937, Bliss was named editor of The Gazette and served as co-publisher with his brother, Sidney Bliss.
Nearly five decades later in 1983, Bliss stepped down as editor. In 1987, he retired as publisher and was named publisher emeritus. Bliss also spent time in the role of chairman of The Gazette Printing Co.
Bliss died March 9, 1992, in Janesville. He was 88.
