John "Jack" Titchen, an award-winning news photographer who worked at the Honolulu Star-Bulletin for a quarter of a century, died Friday in Honolulu. He was 84.

Titchen, who won his first amateur photo contest when he was 13, was born on March 13, 1921, in Sydney, Australia. He began his career at the Sydney Daily Mirror.

His career was interrupted when he joined the Australian Merchant Navy in 1942. Before the war ended, Titchen transferred to the U.S. Merchant Marine and received an honorable discharge from the U.S. Coast Guard in August 1945.

After receiving a degree from the Los Angeles Art Center School, Titchen worked for the Glens Falls Post-Star and the Albany Times-Union, both in New York state. In 1952, he moved to New England to work for the Claremont Daily Eagle.

In 1959, Titchen began his long career at the Star-Bulletin as a staff photographer. He photographed many historic events, including volcanic eruptions, presidential visits, celebrities, surf contests, natural disasters and sporting activities.

Titchen's collection of photos of Duke Kahanamoku was recently featured at an Outrigger hotel. His pictures also regularly appeared in the New York Times, Saturday Evening Post, Sports Illustrated, Time, Newsweek and People.

Titchen retired from the Star-Bulletin in 1984, but continued to do freelance work well into his 80s.

Kathy Titchen, a former Star-Bulletin writer who married John Titchen after they met at the paper in 1969, said her husband worked really well with people.

"He would take the time to get people to relax so he could get that natural, candid shot he was looking for," Kathy Titchen said. "He hated posed pictures, was always looking for the unusual shot."

Titchen is survived by his wife, Kathy; son, John; daughters, Denise Carpenter, Leilani Studenka, Carol Yee and Kanani; sister, Margaret; first wife, Edith; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

A celebration of Titchen's life and work will be held later. Donations may be made to the American Lung Association or The Queen's Medical Center Cancer Institute.

Reach Curtis Lum at culum@honoluluadvertiser.com.