Howard "Nip" Hay

Howard Hay, son of Mary Simon Hay and Ralph Hay, was born on his grandfather's farm in Divernon, Illinois, July 3, 1936. Divernon was a small, close-knit community where his parents ran the Hay Brother's Garage and most everyone had a nickname. Howard's father called him Doojanipper when he was little and the nickname, which was later shortened to Nipper and then simply Nip, stuck. Nip graduated from Divernon high school where he participated in all the sports and worked at his parents' garage before and after school and on the weekends. After high school, he enlisted in the Army and served as a clerk at Camp Kilmer in New Jersey. Upon his discharge from the Army, he returned to hometown celebrations at the Wishing Well where he met Phyllis Ann Carpenter who he always recounted wearing a lemon yellow sundress. Nip and Phyl were immediately smitten and married shortly thereafter. While Phyllis completed school work at Illinois State and began teaching school, Nip enrolled in the University of Illinois and graduated with honors in only three years. During this time, their daughter Sheri was born and shortly thereafter, their son Doug.

Nip leaves Phyllis, his wife of nearly 66 years years, daughter Sheryl Hay Springer (Bryan), son Douglas Hay (Kathryn), grandsons Griffin (Jay) Hay and Keaton (Jordan) Hay, granddaughter Kristin Peck, goddaughter Wendy Monahan Jones (Todd), his younger brother Allan (Gail) Hay and numerous nieces and nephews.

Howard, as he was known professionally, began his career in human resources at Staley Manufacturing, with positions to follow at Trane Company and Lindsay-Schaub newspapers before joining the Chicago Tribune. He dedicated 35 years to the "World's Greatest Newspaper" where he started as Personnel Director and rose through the ranks to Vice President and Director of Circulation, and then Vice President of Strategic Alliances and Acquisitions. He served as President of the Circulation Federation of the Newspaper Association of America and President of the Newspaper Personnel Association as well as holding several offices in the Illinois Press Association. After his retirement from the Tribune, he was on the board of directors of the News-Gazette in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois. He was a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from both the Newspaper Association of America as well as Editor and Publisher Magazine for his career contributions. He was known within the newspaper industry for his mentoring skills and many of those he recruited went on to lead the largest newspapers throughout the nation. He was a leader in providing equal employment opportunities for all and worked tirelessly to lift others up.

In Illinois, Nip was active in the community as a trustee on the Lake Bluff Village Board and the Lake Bluff Methodist church. He served as a director on the Chicago Area Boy Scout Council, the Lake Forest Hospital, and Lambs Farm which serves individuals with developmental disabilities. In Colorado, he served on the Advisory Committee for the Office on Aging of Larimer County and was active in First United Methodist Church. Nip and Phyl relocated to Fort Collins, Colorado to be near their grandsons. Nip was a wonderful role model and molded a close relationship with his grandchildren. He was proud to see them succeed and happy to attend all their sports and activities teaching them carpentry, cards and all things Cubs. He was an avid Cub fan and still enjoyed being a season ticket holder at Wrigley Field. He was always happy to share his front row seats with die-hard Cub fans, nevermore so than when the Cubs won the World Series in 2016 with his whole family in attendance.

Nip was a leader and mentor in business and vigorously heralded the importance of a free and unbiased press throughout his career, but most of all, he was a devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather. He and Phyllis shared a connection and closeness as a couple that was remarkable for its devotion and generosity. They modeled love and kindness that enriched not only their family, but established lifelong friendships and fostered connection throughout all walks of life. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to The Salvation Army or First United Methodist Church. A Celebration of Life will be held at First United Methodist Church in Fort Collins, Colorado on Friday, April 25th at 11:00 a.m. A party to celebrate Nip's life will follow from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. at The Neighbor in Old Town Fort Collins with peanuts, beer, hot dogs, and brats. Graveside services will be held Friday, August 22, 2025 at 11:00 am at Brush Creek Cemetery in Divernon, Illinois.