Who was Chair Frank Aukofer ?

Frank Aukofer, who was instrumental in founding and leading the National Press Foundation, passed away on July 14, 2025. He was 90.
“Our entire staff is so grateful to Frank for his lifelong contributions not only to the National Press Foundation but to journalism as a whole,” said NPF President Anne Godlasky. “He represents a robust local news commitment we all wish for and aim to foster in his name.”
“Frank Aukofer was a good friend and advisor to me and other presidents of the National Press Foundation,” said Bob Meyers, NPF’s president from 1993 to 2014. “He was always available to share advice and suggest topics that might be covered through our educational programs. He was a founding member of NPF and stayed on the board for many years. His counsel was always appreciated.”
Aukofer parlayed an early apprenticeship in the newspaper printing trade into a 40-year career as an award-winning journalist in Washington and Milwaukee. He was a newspaper reporter and bureau chief for the Milwaukee Journal and its successor, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. In 1964 he was assigned the civil rights beat, his coverage included the Selma March in 1965, the assassination of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968, the Detroit riots in 1967 and the Milwaukee open housing marches.
Transferred to Washington in 1970, he spent 30 years covering Congress, the Supreme Court, the White House and politics reporting major stories from wars to impeachment proceedings until his retirement in 2000.
Aukofer also advanced journalism professional and education organizations. He was president of the National Press Club in 1978, was secretary and board member of the Standing Committee of Correspondents, which oversees the daily press galleries of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, and served on the board of the Washington chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ).
Aukofer was fundamental to creating and shaping the National Press Foundation, which will mark its 50th anniversary next month. As NPF’s first president and chair, and as a board member from 1978 to 2004, Aukofer guided the organization’s commitment to provide educational opportunities and support services to working journalists and recognize outstanding achievement in the news industry. NPF has provided free training and mentorship to thousands of working journalists, advancing the understanding and reporting of key issues.
He is the author of three books, City with a Chance (1968) a history of the civil rights movement in Milwaukee, America’s Team: The Odd Couple (1995) a study of the relationship between the military and the news media co-authored with Vice Admiral William P. Lawrence and Never a Slow Day: Adventures of a 20th Century Newspaper Reporter (2009) a memoir that includes details on NPF’s creation, building its board and shaping its educational mission over the organization’s 50 years.
He is survived by his wife of more than 65 years, Sharlene, four children – Juli (Enrique), Matt (Jill), Becky and Joe (Joanne) – 10 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
The Aukofer family has requested that in lieu of flowers donations may be made in Frank’s memory to the Paul Miller Washington Reporting Fellowship at the National Press Foundation.