The extinct Great Auk has passed away, again.
Dick Short, known in-print and locally as “The Great Auk,” passed away on March 3, 2026 in Etna, Calif., his lifelong hometown.
Mr. Short was born in Etna at Dr. Ashcroft’s office on May 6, 1956 to Donald J. Short Sr. and Grace Pamela Boyle Short.
For the last 31 years, Mr. Short has been living on his own, being watched over by the citizens of Etna and beyond.
May 6, 1956 – March 3, 2026
He loved cats, birds and a good story.
No one was a stranger when they stopped to visit with Mr. Short, as he talked to all who would listen.
He had four siblings, Michael, Donald, Dennis and Pamela.
Years ago, Pioneer Press Publisher Daniel Webster approached Dick Short in the Ray’s Food Place in Etna and said “Dick, you need to write me a letter to the editor. Send me a letter to the editor.”
Mr. Short’s response was simply “I can’t write. I can’t write,” as he turned in circles.
Webster replyed “Yes, you can write, Dick. I know you can. Write me a letter to the editor at the Pioneer Press.”
A few days later, a handwritten letter on a small page of paper arrived in the mail at the newspaper office.
Webster published Dick Short’s letter prominently in the section.
The response in Etna was immediate.
Left and right, people in town were telling Mr. Short that they saw his letter in the paper. They commented on Mr. Short’s letter. They asked him to write more.
For many, it was the first time they had something to talk about with Mr. Short.
The next week another letter showed up and then another.
The short weekly letters from Dick Short violated the editorial policy of “no more than one letter published per month per person.”
Thus, Webster made him a weekly columnist in “The Great Auk – By Dick Short,” which ran weekly from that time onward.
Mr. Short had the honored distinction of the columnist who received the most hate mail in the Pioneer Press. Some were vicious, some personally vulgar. Others , kind-hearted and grateful. All correspondence was given to Mr. Short.
His response was always the same, “everyone gets an opinion.”
Mr. Short became the icon depicting the love the folks in the Etna community give to their own.
For many years, businesses throughout Etna have helped and served Dick, led by Linda Lewis at the Etna Deli, many years ago. The bakeries, Wildwood Crossing, MVP Shell, Rays, with Denny Bar and Dotty’s leading the way in recent years.
Townsfolk would offer Mr. Short a ride if they saw him walking to his destination, making his identical tour of the town with all his favorite daily stops.
His routine kept going until the end, although it was much slower and more painful.
Thanks to all the friends and folks who looked after Mr. Short. He would not have been happier living anywhere else.
A public memorial “Retracing a Familiar Path – Dick Short” walk-a-bout around Etna, through Mr. Short’s daily walking routine will be held on Saturday, May 2, at 1 p.m., kicking off at the Denny Bar parking lot. All those touched by Dick Short are welcome to join the folks in Etna.
3 Comments
Thank you, Jay and Daniel! We were just talking yesterday that someone needs to do an obituary. Would you consider putting this on the Scott Valley Lowdown and send to the City hall to put on the City of Etna’s FB page? Thanks again. Charnna
Thanks for the kind words, share links are located at the bottom of the write-ups to share on other platforms of choice freely.
Okay, should good. Thanks again.