Harvey T. Rockwood

Rockwood, Harvey T. 63, consummate journalist, husband and father, died Sunday, March 13, 2016, due to complications from Parkinson's Disease with Lewy Body Dementia. The Little Canada resident spent more than three decades working as a reporter and editor at newspapers in Redwood Falls, MN, Wausau, WI, and several Minneapolis suburbs, including Excelsior, Roseville, Robbinsdale, New Hope and Bloomington. From 1995 to 2009, he was editor of the Bloomington Sun Current. A passionate storyteller and skilled reporter, Rockwood was a mentor to generations of journalists who frequently looked to him for advice about how to approach a story, work with a difficult source or craft a compelling lead. Often remembered for his crime reporting, Rockwood spent countless hours each week conversing with law enforcement sources at the police station, scouring incident reports and tracking down criminal complaints and other court documents. Wherever he went, Rockwood was equipped with a camera, police scanner and a cooler of Diet Coke. While often lauded for crime coverage and hard-hitting news, Rockwood had a knack for feature articles that illustrated the human experience through well crafted stories such as notable pieces about the aftermath of September 11, 2001, a family's struggle awaiting a heart transplant for their young daughter, and poverty in suburbs. Rockwood's work on a series about poverty earned two 2008 Suburban Newspapers of America 2007 Editorial Contest awards for investigative reporting and community service. Under his leadership, the Bloomington Sun Current also earned a runner-up award as the Inland Press Foundation's 2005 Nation's Best Non-Daily Newspaper (more than 10,000 circulation). Additionally, Rockwood was active in the Minnesota Newspaper Association, serving on its Legislative Committee for many years. Rockwood was born August 27, 1952, in Fergus Falls, MN. He graduated from Fergus Falls High School in 1970, and attended Minnesota State University, Mankato (formerly Mankato State). There he was active in progressive causes and the anti-war movement and was editor-in-chief of the Medicine Jug, an alternative news publication. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in journalism and mass communications in 1975. Harvey was preceded in death by his parents, Philo and Carol Rockwood and his brother, John. He is survived by his wife Marcia of 33 years; daughter, Rachel (Joshua) Ferrence; son, Andrew; step grandchildren, Xander and Cheyenne Ferrence; sisters, Mary Diaz, Susan (Gary) Veazie, Patty (George) Rockwood, Carrie (Steve) Souders; sisters-in-law, Karen (John) Schwankl, Karla (Mike) Dewey, Mary Aughinbaugh; brothers-in-law, Natalio Diaz, Paul (Nancy) Aughinbaugh; many nieces; nephews; other relatives and friends. Harvey enjoyed travel, history, reading, fishing, gardening, and spending time at the lakes, especially in Ottertail County, MN. A celebration of life for Harvey is scheduled at 11 AM on Saturday, March 19 at St. Christopher's Episcopal Church, 2300 Hamline Ave. N, Roseville, MN 55113.

Published on March 17, 2016