Before Craig Wilkins wrote, he took the time to listen

Most people remember journalists for the words they write, but those who worked with Craig Wilkins knew his ears were his most valuable gift. His excellent listening skills allowed him to get to know his sources and subjects intimately, and that shone through in the news stories and features he wrote for the St. Cloud Times and the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

"He not only liked to dig into the business of government, but he liked to dig into the intricacies and personalities of mayors and city council members," said Mike Knaak, assistant managing editor of the St. Cloud Times, where Wilkins covered regional news in the 1970s. "He took joy in that. He was very thorough."

Wilkins left the Times in the early 1980s and spent more than 25 years writing internal communications for the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

He died Tuesday at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis after suffering a heart attack. He was 66.

Wilkins began his foray into journalism at the student newspaper at Riverside High School in New Jersey. After graduating, he enlisted in the Air Force and from 1960 to 1964 was an airman first class and served in the military police, said his son, Ethan, of Minneapolis.

Wilkins attended Lea College in Albert Lea, Minn., then transferred to St. Cloud State University. There he wrote for the College Chronicle and was an editor and writer for Sticks and Stones, a student-produced literary magazine.

"He was a coach to us," said classmate and troubadour Larry Long of Minneapolis. "He was a mentor and made you feel good even after he corrected your copy."

In the early 1980s, Wilkins moved to the Twin Cities and wrote for the Minneapolis Spokesman. He once had three bylines on the same front page, Ethan said.

Wilkins was known for his calming presence and as a dependable and knowledgeable writer, photographer and editor for the internal communications department at MnDOT. He wrote for the department's monthly broadsheet newspaper and Intranet, said Kent Barnard, a friend and coworker.

"He was a good listener, and that was quite obvious in the stories he wrote about people and projects," Barnard said.

Dinnertime was special at the Wilkins household, Ethan said. Craig cooked dinner most nights, and "he made us feel like company." His signature dishes included a tortellini salad and cheesecake. "And he made the best omelets," Ethan said.

In addition to his son, Wilkins is survived by his wife, Candace, of Minneapolis.