Former QCS publisher dies at 66

Michael Rindahl, a former publisher of the Quay County Sun during the 1980s and early ‘90s, died earlier this month in North Carolina after a lengthy bout with cancer. He was 66.

According to an obituary published in the Crookston Daily Times in Minnesota, Rindahl had battled cancer for 12 years. He died Jan. 10.

Rindahl, a Minnesota native, also worked as an editor/publisher or photographer at newspapers in Crookston; Galveston, Texas; Reidsville, North Carolina; Hazard, Kentucky; and Atlanta.

Penn Rabb III of Lawton, Oklahoma, who said he worked at the Quay County Sun as a sports editor from 1980 to 1984, offered his memories of Rindahl on social media.

“He was also the guy who you might have seen on the sidelines at Tucumcari football games, taking photos (a tall, blond-haired guy with a prominent moustache),” Rabb wrote. “I remain forever grateful to him for giving me my shot in August of 1980 as the Sun sports editor. … I haven't worked in that business (print journalism) in over 30 years, but I do have fond memories of those days in Tucumcari and in Mike's organization.”

Calling him “a real asset to the area,” Rabb said The Sun won numerous awards from the New Mexico Press Association in the bi-weeklies division during Rindahl’s tenure.

Surviving are Rindahl’s wife, Robin; a daughter, Lexi of Abilene, Texas; two grandsons; a sister; a stepmother; a half-sister; a half-brother; several stepbrothers and stepchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

His parents, two sisters, a half-brother and a stepson preceded him in death.

A memorial service will take place in July at Little Norway Lutheran Church in Fertile, Minnesota, with inurnment in the church cemetery.