A few veteran journalists on the Deseret Morning News staff remember a day about a quarter-century ago when actor Ed Asner, famous then as fictional radio and TV newspaper city editor Lou Grant, dropped by the office and was escorted to then-News city editor Lou Bate.

"Lou Grant, meet Lou Bate," went the introduction.

The man who portrayed a city editor was face-to-face with the quintessential city editor.

Louis B. Bate Jr., 82, the paper's city editor for 13 years and ultimately an assistant managing editor, died Oct. 24, 2007. He was an employee of the Deseret News for nearly 40 years before his retirement in 1987.

Mr. Bate served as city editor from 1973-86. His reputation as city desk editor hinged on a balance of toughness and fairness. He also thrived on the big stories during his tenure as editor, marshaling his troops during such 1970s events as the Teton Dam flood disaster and the controversial execution of murderer Gary Gilmore, the first execution in the United States in more than a decade. He also spearheaded development of the newspaper's award-winning investigative "Pinpoint Team" during that era.

"Lou Bate was one of the toughest and most courageous newspapermen I have ever known," said William B. Smart, a former Deseret News editor.

"Lou was a classic city editor," echoed Richard D. Hall, Deseret Morning News managing editor. "He was tough, but he was fair and he knew the business. He was a professional in every way."

Mr. Bate first worked for the Deseret News in 1948 while attending Utah State University. After graduating with a degree in political science/journalism he became the paper's bureau chief in Price for a year before joining the city desk staff in Salt Lake City in 1951. He also worked as reporter, makeup editor, assistant city editor (1956-68) and associate city editor (1968-73).

Having had so many different jobs at the newspaper, he once quipped that he didn't know if that meant he was "versatile or just unwanted."

But in recognition of his work ethic, Mr. Bate received an outstanding performance award and a distinguished service award from the Deseret News, among many honors.

Born in Wichita, Kan., on April 2, 1925, he graduated from Woodstock High School in Illinois in 1943.

During World War II he served in Europe in the U.S. Army's armored infantry.

Mr. Bate married Kathleen Daines in 1947, and the couple had two children, both of whom survive him: Rebecca Bate Sperry, Bountiful; and Michael H. Bate, Phoenix, Ariz. He also has six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

His wife, Kathleen, said Wednesday she respected him as "an extremely fine man and very ethical."

Mr. Bate's funeral will be at noon Monday in the Russon Brothers Mortuary chapel, 295 N. Main, Bountiful. Burial will be at noon Tuesday in Smithfield. Other arrangements are pending.