Richard Radcliffe 'Rick' Edmonds

EDMONDS, Richard Radcliffe “Rick”, 78, of St. Petersburg, died October 5, 2025, from complications following an automobile accident.

Rick was a lifelong journalist whose career reflected his deep love of writing, curiosity about the world, and devotion to truth. A graduate of Harvard University, he began his journalism career as an intern for James “Scotty” Reston of The New York Times. He went on to work for the Winston-Salem Journal, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Florida Trend magazine, and the St. Petersburg Times (now the Tampa Bay Times).

During a hiatus from journalism, Rick served as staff director to the Business/Higher Education Partnership and as co-director of the Governor’s Commission on Education under Governor Lawton Chiles.

In 2000, Rick joined The Poynter Institute, where he served for many years as its respected media business analyst. His reporting and analysis were widely recognized for their insight, fairness, and clarity, helping journalists and readers alike understand the evolving landscape of the news industry.

Rick was known as a thoughtful mentor, a trusted friend, and a generous colleague. As noted by Kristen Hare on Poynter.org, he was also a devoted “girl dad” to his daughters, Leslie (Jim) and Jenny; a loving grandfather to Jenny’s son, Christopher; and a loving and devoted partner to his wife, Marianne, for 53 years.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Elizabeth Donovan Edmonds; his father, Peter Edmonds; and his sister, Leslie Edmonds Holt.

Rick’s warmth, wisdom, and integrity touched all who knew him. His legacy endures in the stories he told and the lives he enriched.

A celebration of Rick’s life will be held 2pm on November 9, 2025, at The Poynter Institute in St. Petersburg. Memorial contributions may be made to The Poynter Institute at:

https://poynterfoundation.fundjournalism.org/poynter/?campaign=701RQ00000Y1zp6YA

Heritage Funeral Care, David and Steven Gross Directors, are serving the family.