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Richard Scudder Obituary

Founded first newsprint recycling plant in Garfield

Born into a newspaper family almost a century ago, Richard Scudder spent a lifetime working with words — and just as notably, the paper they were printed on, as a pioneer in newsprint recycling.

Mr. Scudder died Wednesday at the age of 99 at his home in Navesink. He had a journalism career that took him from a Depression-era reporting job at his family's paper, The Newark Evening News, to the chairmanship of Denver-based MediaNews Group, which owns 61 newspapers in 11 states.

Mr. Scudder and his MediaNews co-founder, William Dean Singleton, formerly owned the Herald News of Passaic. The Record bought the Herald News, along with 11 weeklies, and formed North Jersey Media Group in 1997.

In the 1950s, Mr. Scudder began researching ways to wash ink from newsprint so it could be recycled. In 1961, he founded Garden State Paper, the world's first newsprint recycling plant, on the Passaic River in Garfield. Mr. Scudder recalled in an interview with The Record in 2001 that his competitors were skeptical.

"The paper industry laughed itself sick," he said. Today, more than 70 percent of newspapers are recycled.

The Garden State Paper plant was later sold to the Houston energy giant Enron Corp., and closed abruptly in December 2001, as Enron collapsed amid reports of fraudulent accounting.

Mr. Scudder remained vital, curious and active deep into his 90s, retiring only in 2009, according to Singleton, who founded MediaNews with Mr. Scudder when he was already 70.

"His energy level was unbelievable," Singleton said.

At age 68, Mr. Scudder climbed to the base camp at Mount Everest, 22,000 feet elevation, according to his daughter, Jean Scudder.

"He was in terrific shape and earned a salary into his 90s," she said. "He used to joke about running for Congress when he turned 100. & He was a man who always looked forward. He was very active and involved in life for a very long time."

Mr. Scudder was born May 13, 1913, in Newark. His grandfather founded the Newark Evening News in 1882, and the paper grew into the state's largest and most influential.

After graduating from Princeton in 1935 and working for a time at the Boston Herald, Mr. Scudder joined the News in 1938 as a reporter. He served in the Army during World War II, then returned to his family's newspaper, becoming publisher in 1952, a post he held for 20 years, until the paper shut down.

He met Singleton — then the 25-year-old publisher of the now-defunct Paterson News — in 1977, because Garden State Paper supplied newsprint to the News. The two hit it off, despite an age difference of almost 40 years, and teamed up to buy newspapers, starting with the Gloucester County Times in 1983 and the Herald News in 1985.

They ultimately created MediaNews, a privately owned company whose holdings include The Denver Post, The Detroit News and San Jose Mercury News. The company's newspapers have a combined daily circulation of 2.3 million, making it one of the nation's largest newspaper companies.

"He was an excellent businessman, but his interest was primarily on the news side," Singleton recalled. "He was a champion of investigative reporting and First Amendment issues."

Singleton recalled that when a judge in York, Pa., ordered one of their reporters to turn over confidential sources, Mr. Scudder shrugged off the judge's threat to fine the company $50,000 a day unless the reporter complied.

"He simply would not bend on principle," Singleton said.

Mr. Scudder, according to his son, Charles, was "computer-phobic" and "barely read anything online" but was an advocate of newspapers' moving onto the Web.

"His overwhelming thought was that newspapers provide a public service, whatever format they are in," Charles Scudder said.

Mr. Scudder sold the Newark News and Garden State Paper to Media General Inc. of Richmond, Va., which closed the newspaper in 1972. Media General operated Garden State Paper until 2000, when Enron bought it. Enron closed the plant in 2001, throwing 250 people out of work.

New town houses have recently been constructed on the 13-acre site of the old recycling plant.

Mr. Scudder had lived in Navesink for 60 years. His wife, Elizabeth, died in 2004. He is survived by his children, Jean Scudder of Readfield, Maine; Carolyn Miller of Devon, Pa.; Holly Difani of Arroyo de Seco, N.M.; and Charles Scudder of Portland, Ore.; eight grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

Arrangements are by Thompson Memorial Home, Red Bank. Burial will be private; a memorial service is planned for July 28 at Rumson Presbyterian Church.

This article contains material from The Associated Press. Email: [email protected] and [email protected].

Published by The Record on Jul. 12, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for Richard Scudder

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14 Entries

july 28 2012

I am from navesink, live and love this town my whole life. The wonderful memories I have either ice skating or sledding on the grounds at the Scudders, especially the warmth of the family. The hot chocolate in the kitchen by Mrs. Scudder was an added plus. Real people seem hard to come by, or we behave so guarded,but with the Scudders I knew it was all real. I hope many people have learned to put a better foot forward knowing Mr. and Mrs. Scudder. My sympathy to the family
I know he will be missed but is with you in your hearts and so many others. The navesink family home will always be called the scudders to me and Im sure by many. I want to thank the Scudders for being real wonderful and in helping preserve our country town.
My sorrow for your loss everyone!
God Bless

paul Pape

July 28, 2012

I am son of member of class of 1935 at Princeton of which Dick and his late brother were members. I had a chance to do a story on Dick and his lifetime accomplishments for the Princeton Alumni Weekly two years ago; I also had a wonderful visit this past June 27th. I hope members of the family will attend the Princeton service of rememberance next February at the chapel. The university will send out notices to the next of kin.

Stephen Dittmann

July 27, 2012

I know I'm late to this page - having only just learned about Mr. Scudder passing away. But I wanted to note that as a kid growing up in Navesink, there were no neighbors better than the Scudders. Not all of the families were rich in our area - just the opposite - Navesink at that time was a place of high contrasts. Mrs. Scudder always rode around on a bicycle, long before any adult that I knew rode one - I rarely saw her drive when she could bike. One day when she spoke with my mother at the Post Office, my mother lamented her problems with raising five young children -- Mrs. Scudder thought my Mom needed a break and recommended the very same YMCA Camp where she sent her daughters - which at $40 a week was a bargain even in the late 60's. I wound up going there for the next ten years and contribute there every summer to send a kid to camp.

If you grew up a real Navesinker, you skated on Scudder's pond in the winter and probably got some bruises sledding too fast down their mini ski slope. You certainly spent plenty of time wandering in their woods and the Huber's woods next door - where the only people unwelcome were hunters. If you were a kid from Hillside, you might get invited to the Scudder's pool on a hot day. And I never understood at that time that some of my schoolmates were under the Scudders' generous wings - or that the family that owned the corner store had help from the Scudders repairing their roof.

Strangely, I also never knew that Mr. Scudder had so many professional accomplishments as I have discovered after reading his obituary. All that I knew was that he and his wife were wonderful neighbors - the best in Navesink - perhaps the best that I ever had. I hope that other people will gain inspiration from their example - decency, generosity and civic-mindedness. When you read about Mr. Scudder, you really do believe in Karma.

Jill Pender

July 24, 2012

Carolyn and family,
May your memories bring you warmth and happiness.

Rick Bennett, NJ

July 17, 2012

To the Scudder Family,
During the late 1930's, my parents worked for the Scudders, truly a blessing in those Depression years. I was a toddler; my brothers 2 & 4 years older. We still fondly remember Dick & Ned Scudder, and the lovely Scudder home on Ballantine Parkway in Newark, New Jersey, where we were welcomed and had some wonderful times. Sincere condolences, Barbara Montee (nee Thatcher), Bellevue NE

July 16, 2012

we are so sorry to hear of your passing..The Koppelman's and Irwin

Gail Koppelman

July 15, 2012

Dear Holly, Charles, Carolyn, and Jean~

Please accept my deepest condolences on the loss of your father--an extraordinary man. I have always been filled with admiration for this great gentleman. His vision and idealism about the role of the media in our society gave others hope. His generosity to causes he believed in and his quiet support of those less fortunate was inspiring.

Growing up across the woods from your childhood home, your parents brought so much joy to my young life. They both had a knack for buoying those around them. Their supportive words and kindness meant so much to me. I will remember them both fondly and with great appreciation, always.

Much love to you all,
Perri

July 14, 2012

Growing up in Navesink was great in so many ways, one of them was ice skating on Scudders Pond. Mr and Mrs Scudder were always so kind to all the local kids they were à wonderful family. Our hearts and prayers go out to the Scudder Family.

Agnes ,Lynn ,William,Mark,and Annette Hebler

Mark Hebler

July 12, 2012

So sorry for your loss. I prayed that God will give you peace, comfort and strength during this time.

July 11, 2012

Mr. Scudder will long be remembered as a great publisher and passionate believer in journalism that serves the common good. He was a tremendous source of inspiration to me and many other editors and reporters who worked for him. I shall miss his friendship and advice that he provided over the years.

David M. Levine, editor, The (Elizabeth) Daily Journal, The Hudson Dispatch and The (Passaic) Herald & News – Media News Group newspapers.

July 11, 2012

Mr. Scudder was my boss for 12 years, and he was unfailingly polite and generous with his time. I will never forget our conversations and occasional lunches. My sympathies to his family on the loss of this truly great man.

John Schoonejongen

July 11, 2012

“Be courageous and strong.” When your strength is gone and your endurance tested, “do not suffer shock or be terrified, for Jehovah your God is with you wherever you go.”–Jos 1:9..
With Deep Sympathy,

Green, L.-West P. Bch., FL 33407

July 11, 2012

I worked for Dick at the Daily Journal in Elizabeth and interviewed him for E&P several times, a Jersey guy and a real newsman.

Joe Strupp

July 11, 2012

With deepest sympathy to the Scudder family during your time of grief...Psalm 46:1...God is for us a refuge and strength, A help that is readily to be found during difficult times...May God provide you with peace and comfort to endure the days ahead.

July 11, 2012

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