Former NDN editor, current NI editor Pete Hussmann passes away

Pete Hussmann, a longtime employee and editor of the Newton Daily News and current editor of the Newton Independent, passed away Tuesday at his home in Newton.

Hussmann’s wife, Julie, confirmed his death on Facebook on Tuesday afternoon. Many in the community expressed their condolences and took the opportunity to share their memories about Hussmann.

“Pete will be dearly missed,” JECDO Executive Director Chaz Allen stated to the Daily News. “My whole political career was reported on by Pete, whether at the NDN or NI. I always respected Pete’s reporting. Though sometimes I didn’t agree with it, I felt like he was reporting the story as he saw it. And if he saw the story that way, then many others in Newton saw it the same way. This always made me try to better explain my thoughts or actions so others would understand why we did what we did. In that way, Pete made me a better public official.

“This has come as a shock to many of us. I really believe Pete made Newton a better place for his commitment to reporting the stories he did. I will miss him dearly.”

Hussmann, 55, posted a letter to his Newton Independent readers on Friday informing them of his health status, stating a growth suspected to be cancerous had been found on his larynx. He was scheduled to report to the hospital for a biopsy on Wednesday.

“Pete’s passing is going to leave a huge void in the Newton community,” Jasper County Treasurer Doug Bishop said. “His journalistic work was noteworthy, but I believe his work with the St. Nick’s Christmas Club was his most important endeavor in the community. Thanks to Pete, and the committee, hundreds of area children were afforded the pleasure of presents under the tree on Christmas morning. He was passionate about his work, his community and most importantly his family. I will miss our regular visits but will cherish the memories.”

Former co-workers of Hussmann expressed sorrow at his passing.

“From the very moment I met Pete, I could tell he was a character,” said Jessica Lowe, marketing and membership director at the Newton YMCA and former Daily News reporter who worked with Pete for several years. “He is this energetic, loud, funny, smart, whirlwind of a guy that would roar through the newsroom on deadline. He made journalism exciting and fun. I’m saddened to hear of his sudden passing and am thinking of Julie and his sons. I will remember Pete as a great newspaper man and as a giving soul who quietly and with little fanfare helped thousands of families over two decades with St. Nick’s Club. He was one-of-a-kind, and I will truly miss his friendship and contribution to our community.”

Hussmann started at the Daily News in December of 1986 and worked there for 20 years and three months, until March of 2007.

“Pete was the best boss I ever had in my career,” former Daily News reporter John Jennings said. “He was easy-going and had a sense of humor, and yet he was really passionate about his work too.”

Hussmann is survived by his wife and sons, Noah, Zane and Corey. Pence-Reese Funeral Home in Newton is handling arrangements.