Deaths Elsewhere

American Press managing editor
LAKE CHARLES – Arrangements are pending for long-time American Press editor Bobby Dower. He died July 9 at age 62.
He joined the newspaper in 1971 and was named sports editor in 1976. He was named news editor in 1993 and managing editor in 1996. He was a recipient of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Distinguished Service Award in Sports Journalism. He was a former member of the board of the Louisiana-Mississippi Associated Press Managing Editors Association.
Survivors include his wifeAnn and two children.
Arrangements are by Johnson.

Safety Commission spokesman
LAFAYETTE – Services will be July 12 for La. Highway Safety Commission public affairs officer and retired state trooper Albert “Ben” Pressburg. He died July 8 at age 69.
After retiring from Troop K he was in private industry security until joining the Highway Safety Commission in 2003.
Survivors include his wife Marsha, three sons and a step-son.
Arrangements are by Walters.

Special Ed pioneer
POPLARVILLE, Miss. – Services for Special Education pioneer Dr. Helen Gaspard, the first teacher in the Jefferson Parish, La. school system to earn a doctorate, will be July 11. She died July 8 at age 79.
She was a founder of the Special Education program in Louisiana public schools and a former Poplarville citizen of the year.
Survivors include several children and step-children.