9 minute read
25t Remember
Remembering the Unforgettable Eric Stoakes
by Leo Adam Biga | Photos by Debra Kapla n W hen Eric “Big Daddy” Stoakes died at age 51 on Feb. 16, 2018, the local journalistic community lost a charismatic original. The affection expressed for this dancing bear of a man made those of us who didn’t know him envious of the bond others shared with him. As The Reader’s 25th anniversary celebration winds down, remembering Stoakes is apt since he helped shepherd this paper’s mid-life maturation as its creative and promotions director. His contributions extended beyond The Reader to Kidz Magazine and Omaha Magazine. He co-founded the distinctive Medium, which folks still fondly recall decades after its short run. Most recently, Stoakes was managing editor of Encounter. Omaha’s print media fraternity is small. Anyone who spent any significant time in it the past three decades either worked with or for Stoakes. The Wahoo, Nebraska, native caught the journalism bug at Millard South High School, where he was editor of the Tomahawk student newspaper. He galvanized his career ambitions at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, where the honors student helmed The Gateway. He soon became a familiar name and face in Omaha’s professional publications circles. Though I was a contributing writer for many of the pubs Stoakes served, our paths rarely crossed — a function of my never being an intern, a staffer or a section editor. Plus, I was several years older. Our sparse contact was limited to bloodless phone calls or emails. Thus, he was an enigma to me, and I suppose I was to him. In reading the tributes assembled for this piece, I feel I missed out not knowing this creative. Those who did describe a bigger-thanlife presence with a colorful style all his own and an insatiable appetite for life. He was, by all accounts, a generous sage and mentor and a crackling storyteller, tastemaker and thought-leader. He liked instigating fun in the pressure cooker world of media but remained a real stickler for getting things right. He openly, unapologetically cared about the craft.
Deeply connecting with a fellow traveler in journalism, especially one so passionate for the work, is a gift to be treasured. I was impressed to discover that wherever he worked he fashioned a creative salon environment built on curiosity and collaboration, and he delighted in cultivating and encouraging young talent. Though a mystery to me in life, it’s fallen to me in his death to memorialize this irrepressible dude about town. I regret not having known him better, but I’m honored to share the impressions he made on others.
Photographer Bryce Bridges recalls when Stoakes, then editor of Omaha Magazine, paid him ultimate respect.
“I suggested a slightly ‘sexy’ image to be the cover. He liked the idea, but when he took it to the editorial meeting it was shot down. He told everyone at the table they were wrong, stood up, gave his notice and went home. I was caught completely off guard. I had never had anyone believe in me so much and back one of my suggestions so vehemently, much less quit their job.” Stoakes was coaxed back, the photo ran on the cover, and he and Bridges “began working ever closer” as “a creative team” — later launching Medium together. Former Reader editor Tessa Jeffers recalls Stoakes having her back. “The most important thing he gave me was friendship. Right behind that … inspiration. Eric was a lover of life with an open heart matched by an ability to dream and the fearlessness to act on it. In my time at The Reader, Eric was the person I was closest to. We were thick as thieves and looked out for each other like extended family. He was a brilliant collaborator because he thrived on the possibilities of yes and who cares about no. “The man had a style and a vision all his own. Among my fond memories is seeing the cover illustrations and
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February 2020 20 graphic visuals he would create every week out of thin air or being part of the wildly fun events he coordinated.
“Eric was gentle with people and could get along with anyone, but he had a backbone, and I respected his opinion and trusted him. I knew he believed in me and would always support me. We had a kindred spirit in that way. I believed in him, too. He was a mentor to me in my first ‘real’ job as a reporter and editor.”
Less-than-tech-savvy comrades, such as Reader art editor Mike Krainak, valued his patience. “Being something of a luddite as the paper screamed forward with its digital presence, I dominated his emails with a constant flood of basic questions. But Eric never flinched, never faltered. And in our phone conversations he was the calm, cool, collected one.”
Many now-veteran journalists, like Jeffers, editor of Premier Guitar, got their professional starts with Stoakes because he gave them the opportunity. Sarah Wengert, who worked with him across many platforms, is another. “He taught me endless unscripted lessons about publishing, journalism, creativity, communication, kindness, grit, the ability to always just ‘make it work’ no matter what,” Wengert shared in an Omaha Magazine article. She noted “his extraordinary knack for uncovering and nurturing talent in others.”
You really get to know someone when you’re pulling all-nighters to beat deadlines and kicking back a few to let off steam. Melanie Clark, president of Clark Creative Group, knew Stoakes from UNO, Kidz and Today’s Omaha Woman. “He was passionate about his work, and this showed in every one of his writing and design projects. He was passionate about the issues of the day and always sided with those he felt mistreated
or struggling. He was passionate about music, art and artists, and endlessly supported them. He was passionate about animals and raised money for their care. Most of all, Eric was passionate about his friends. If Eric loved you, you could do no wrong in his eyes, and he would move mountains for you. I was fortunate enough to be one of Eric’s beloved people for 31 years.” Stoakes’ Omaha Magazine colleagues valued the wealth of sources, insights and skills — from editing to design — he brought to the table. But what they most admired was his investment in people.
“He pushed people to be their best, whatever that meant to them,” said senior editor Tara Spencer, “and you couldn’t be mad at him because it always came from a place of love. He just wanted the best for all his friends. Because of Eric, I went back to college and got a degree in journalism. When I graduated, he hired me at The Reader. Eventually, he went to work at Omaha Magazine, where he’d worked previously, and got me a job there. I literally would not be where I am in my life if it weren’t for Eric.” Reader publisher John Heaston so admired Stoakes’ work from afar that he wooed him to join the team. “We worked hard to bring him to The Reader, where we felt he had a real home in alternative news,” Heaston said. “Together, we navigated some really tricky waters in the publishing business. Eric was instrumental in our shift towards digital services, while making sure our media operations shined and new talent developed.
“He is a publishing lion and legend that is truly missed. No one had a bigger heart, and even with a strong mischievous streak he was always a thorough professional. His legacy goes on in all the former interns now emerging or standing as leaders in our community.” Rest easy, Big Daddy, your peeps are paying forward what you gave them.
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