Dr. Frank Foster Hash

Dr. Frank Foster Hash passed away January 3, 2015, at the age of 93. He was born March 22, 1921, in Baxter Springs, Kansas, to Reece Barns Hash and Mazie Foster Hash.
He is survived by his wife, Fair Craig Hash of Rayne; and preceded in death by his first wife, Norma Holland Hash, in 1995.  Survivors also include his brother, William J. Hash and son, James Hash, and wife, Kitty; three grandchildren, Jeremy Hash, and  wife, La Delle, and son, Colton, of Las Cruces; Michael Hash, wife, Diana, and children, Sheena and Tristin of Odessa TX, Devan Hash and son Morgan of Tucson AZ; step-grandchildren, Jennifer Brewer, husband, Mark, and children, Katey and Hunter of Louisville KY, Jaclyn Impellezzeri Stone, husband, Josh, and children, Samantha and Maxwell of Riverside CA, Jessica Impellezzeri, and sons, Michael-Anthony and Dayton of New Albany IN; two stepchildren, Laura, husband, Dr. Edward Milligan, of Shreveport LA. and James (Bo) King, and wife, Debbie, of Baytown TX; six grandchildren and eleven step-great-grandchildren; nephew, Bill Hash, of Norman OK; and nieces, Neva Hill of Oklahoma City, OK, and Teena Johnson and husband, Jim, and children of Apache Junction AZ.
Dr. Hash grew up in Claremore, Muskogee, and Haskell, Oklahoma, and attended the University of New Mexico (class of 1943) and had his education interrupted by WWII when he enlisted in the U.S. Army during the early days of the conflict and served as a Sergeant and Platoon Leader.
Following the war he received a B.J. Degree in 1947 from the University of Missouri school of Journalism and was a member of PI Kappa Alpha Fraternity.
He had a successful career in Louisiana, Georgia, and Iowa as an editor and publisher of weekly and daily newspapers and as a broadcast owner and manager. He sold his media properties in 1960 and earned both MA and Ph.D degrees in Mass Communication at the University of Iowa.
His second career was in higher education serving as a Professor and Administrator at Idaho State University, University of Iowa, University of Florida and New Mexico State University where he was a Professor and Head of the Journalism and Mass Communication Department. He also served as Director for, Center for Broadcasting and International Communications. He retired from NMSU in 1984.
As a newspaper owner and publisher he received wide attention when Time Magazine and other publications recognized the courage of his newspaper’s editorial attacks on the Ku Klux Klan when they unsuccessfully attempted to reorganize in his Georgia community during the 1950’s. His newspapers received many awards for editorial and advertising excellence.
As a newspaper publisher, broadcaster, and educator Dr. Hash was a popular speaker at numerous professional meetings throughout the United States. He was a member of the National Speakers Bureau of the American Advertising Federation. He represented New Mexico on the Rocky Mountain Telecommunication Council and was named to the New Mexico Commission on Public Broadcasting by both Governors King and Apodaca.
Dr. Hash served as President of the Rio Baja Chapter, Society of Professional Journalists, consisting of Broadcast and Print Journalists throughout West Texas and Southern New Mexico. He produced the 1975 International Distinguished Service Awards program for the National Society.
He had been a member of the University United Methodist Church since 1972 and his bass voice will be remembered as part of the churches choir for many years.
As per his wishes, Dr. Hash chose cremation and a memorial service will be held at University United Methodist Church 2000 Locust St. Las Cruces, NM on Thursday, January 15, 2015, at 2:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers the family requests please make donations to “Autism Society of America”. A Celebration of Life following the service at the Fraternal Order of Eagles 980 N 17th  St. Las Cruces, NM.