Richard Sherwin "Gus" Trueblood

WATCH: Signal Newspaper History: The Trueblood Years, with Gus Trueblood (SCVTV 2008)

Richard Sherwin "Gus" Trueblood passed away on Wednesday, December 18, 2013, in Newhall, CA.

He was born October 5, 1927, in Marion, Indiana, and moved to Newhall in 1938 when the Trueblood family purchased the Newhall Signal and Saugus Enterprise. The Truebloods lived on William S. Hart's ranch on Market Street in a house that was later torn down to accommodate the building of the Senior Center. Gus and his family moved to a "Bermite House" across from Hart High School in 1947.

He attended Newhall Elementary School and Graduated from San Fernando High School in 1945. He also went to Frank Wiggins Trade School to learn Linotype and Intertype for his work at the Signal.

He was a veteran of the Korean War serving in the United States Air Force where he rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant. He also spent time in Europe serving in the Merchant Marines.

Gus returned to the family home on Newhall Avenue in 1966 to help care for his mother Anne Trueblood who lived to be 99 years old. He remained there until his passing.

Gus was famous for two photos, one he took and one he was in. He took a photo of the fire that burned down Gene Autry's Melody Ranch, and it was picked up and shown nationally by the Associated Press. The second was a photo taken by the Los Angeles Times showing Gus dancing on the steps of a burned-down Newhall Elementary School in 1939. The latter resulted in a good thrashing from his father Fred Trueblood Sr.

Richard Sherwin Trueblood leaves behind his loving sister Rosemary and husband Tom Shields of Lancaster, CA; nephews: Fred Trueblood III of Camarillo, CA; John Trueblood of Santa Rosa, CA; Mike Trueblood of Saugus, CA; niece Kyltie Diggins of Morro Bay, CA.

Uncle Gus was "just a good guy" and will be missed by all those who knew him.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 1, 2014, at Eternal Valley, 23287 Sierra Hwy., Newhall, CA 91321.