Richard Scudder

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Richard Betts Scudder (May 13, 1913 – July 11, 2012) was an American

MediaNews Group, the second largest newspaper company in the United States.[1] He served as MediaNews' chairman from 1985 until 2009.[1]

Scudder is also considered an innovator and pioneer of newspaper recycling. He founded the Garden State Paper Company, which later became one of the world's largest newspaper recycling companies.[2]

Biography

Scudder was born to Edward Wallace Scudder and Katherine Hollifield Scudder, on May 13, 1913, in Newark, New Jersey.[1]

Scudder graduated from the

publisher from 1952 until its closure in 1972.[1] By then, the Scudder family had already sold the paper to Media General
, in 1970.

In 1983, Scudder partnered with

Gannett Company.[1] MediaNews' combined, nationwide circulation stands at 2.3 million, which are published by 57 daily newspapers nationwide.[1] MediaNews also owns 122 nondaily newspapers in nine states.[1] Scudder served as MediaNews' chairman from 1985 until 2009; since 2010 Singleton is the company's executive board chairman.[1]

Scudder died at his home in the

Middletown, New Jersey, on July 11, 2012, at the age of 99.[2] His wife Elizabeth died at 84 in 2003.[2] Scudder was survived by one son, three daughters, eight grandchildren, several grand-nieces and nephews, and a few cousins and close extended family members.[2]

Ancestry

Scudder was named for Richard Betts Scudder, an ancestor who fought in the French and Indian War.[1] Another ancestor, Colonel Nathaniel Scudder, was one of two delegates from New Jersey who signed the Articles of Confederation.[1]

In September 1883, Scudder's grandfather, Wallace M. Scudder, founded the former Newark Evening News.[1] Scudder's father, Edward Wallace Scudder, operated the newspaper.[2]

Eight generations of Scudders have graduated from Princeton University, starting with a member of the school's first class. According to its alumni department, the Scudders are Princeton's largest alumni family. A small sample includes U.S. Rep. John A. Scudder (1775), Rev. John Scudder M.D. (1811), Edward Wallace Scudder I (1841) Hon. George Drake Scudder (1876), Edward W. Scudder II (1903), Charles Damarin Scudder I (1907), Charles Damarin Scudder II (1935), and Charles Damarin Scudder III (1963), and brother Edward Wallace Scudder III (1935). Richard Scudder's son and multiple grand kids have attended Princeton University. Richard B. Scudder (1935), and Edward W. Scudder (1935), together made the gift for Scudder Plaza in honor of their father, Edward Wallace Scudder (1903).

References

  1. ^
    New York Times
    . Retrieved 2012-08-10.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Rudnquist, Jeanette (2012-07-12). "Late Newark Evening News publisher Richard B. Scudder remembered as 'newsman's newsman'". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved 2012-08-10.
  3. ^ [1] Winter 2013 Loomis Chaffee Magazine