Goodbye to an industry giant, Jerry R. Swormstedt (1934 - 2015) pubisher of Signs of the Times, Big Picture magazine, Sreenprinting and many more. It was sad to hear of Jerry's death, he died peacefully surrounded by loved ones on April 4, 2015 in Cincinnati, Ohio at the age of 80.
I met Jerry many years ago in my other publishing lifetime overseas (must have been in the 80's) when we met at one of those big European trade shows. He was an impressive character and it was easy to be a little intimated by such a giant in our trade publishing world for the graphic arts industry.
The Swormstedt family did so much for both the publishing industry and the graphic arts industry, both in the US as well as around the world with their range of publications.
We understand that Jerry is survived by his wife of 21 years Joan, son Tedd and his wife Pam Kalkhoff, grandchildren Ted, Brad, Carly, Jenna, Alexandra, Samantha, daughter in-law Cindy Swormstedt, step-daughters Sheelah (Tom) Buse, children Grace and Caroline; Patti (David) Stephas, children Sam Cooler, Kevin Cooler and Bridget; and step-son Sean (Elaine) O'Donnell, children Erin and Ryan. He is preceded in death by his first wife Betty and son Scott. Jerry is remembered as a kind and loving man whose accomplishments spanned both his personal and professional life.
A 1956 graduate of the University of Missouri with a degree in journalism, he joined ST Publications in 1959 as an Assistant Editor for Signs of the Times magazine. In 1970, he became editorial director of Signs of the Times, Screen Printing and Display World magazine (currently VMSD magazine) and in 1979, he became the publisher of Signs of the Times. In 1992, following the retirement of his older brother, the late Dave Reid Swormstedt Jr., Jerry became the president of ST Publications. When Jerry's son Tedd Swormstedt was named president in 1999 (he continues in that role today), Jerry became chair of the board, a role in which he served until he retired in 2005.
Brian Stickland
Publisher of Wide Format Online magazine
