Veteran Journalist Pat Kumpan Leaves Chieftain After 18 Years

After 18 years as a veteran staff writer for the Poway News Chieftain, longtime Powegian Pat Kumpan is putting down her pen.

As she reflects on her time at the local newspaper, she says it’s the friendships that have meant the most.

“I think the one thing about being a community writer is that you get to know the people,” Kumpan said. “… Really what I like about it is that really personal connection.”

The award-winning journalist wrote for Corridor News and the Rancho Bernardo News Journal before landing at the decades-old Chieftain. She’s written scores of articles on multiple topics, but spent a lot of time interviewing teens about substance abuse.

She says she’s always made an effort to be sensitive to everyone she’s spoken with over the years.

“I have tried to tell the story without digging so deep that the person I’m interviewing walks away hurt,” said Kumpan, 63, who in 2007 was honored with a media award by the San Diego Prevention Coalition.

While the decision to leave wasn’t hers, Kumpan said she took the corporate news in stride and remained calm.

“I think even when you get bad news, you want to walk away with dignity,” she said. “I don’t know what I’ll be doing, but whatever I’ll be doing I’ll be giving it everything I’ve got.”

Kumpan’s last day will be Friday, Feb. 10. She says the Chieftain will remain in operation under the editorial direction of Steve Dreyer, and with continued contribution from Elizabeth Marie Himchak, Barbara Norton and Michael Bower.