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Richard B. Scudder
Richard B. Scudder
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Richard Scudder Obituary
William Dean Singleton, the other founder of Denver-based MediaNews and former chairman of The Associated Press, confirmed the death.
MediaNews Group is a privately-owned company whose newspaper holdings include The Denver Post, The Detroit News and San Jose Mercury News. Its 57 newspapers in 11 states have combined daily circulations of 2.3 million, making MediaNews one of the largest U.S. newspaper companies.
Scudder served as chairman from 1985 through 2009.
Singleton, the chairman of MediaNews Group Inc., said Scudder was the "conscience of the company" who loved newspapers and emphasized the importance of local coverage that was hard-hitting. Singleton said he didn't flinch at spending money to fight for information to be re leased to the public or to defend a reporter's right to protect sources.
"He was a newsman through and through. He was certainly a good businessman, but his heart and soul was always on the news side," Singleton said.
Scudder served in the Army during World War II, earning a Bronze Star. He had learned German as a child and put this knowledge to use writing scripts for a German-language radio station to mislead the Nazis. He remained with the Army in Europe until 1946 working to help civilians take over newspapers that had been run by the Nazis, said Nancy Conway, the editor of The Salt Lake Tribune.
In the early 1950s, Scudder had a hand in inventing a process to remove ink from newsprint so newspapers could be recycled into quality newsprint. After being approached by a news dealer who came up with the idea, Scudder initially tested the process in his office and home before moving the research to university and laboratory settings, according to the Paper I ndustry International Hall of Fame. Scudder was admitted to the hall in 1995.
He went on to found the Garden State Paper Co., whose mill in New Jersey began production in 1961. The firm later became among the largest in the world to recycle newspapers into newsprint.
The Princeton University graduate was a trustee of Princeton University's Environmental Institute, Rutgers University and New Jersey State University.
His wife, Elizabeth Shibley Scudder, died in 2004 at the age of 83. He is survived by daughters Jean Fulmer, Carolyn Miller and Holly Difiani; a son, Charles Scudder, and eight grandchildren.
COLLEEN SLEVIN, Associated Press
Copyright © 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
14 Entries
paul Pape
July 28, 2012
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
Stephen Dittmann
July 27, 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.
Jill Pender
July 24, 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.
July 17, 2012
Carolyn and family,
May your memories bring you warmth and happiness.
Rick Bennett, NJ
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July 16, 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
Gail Koppelman
July 15, 2012
we are so sorry to hear of your passing..The Koppelman's and Irwin
July 14, 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
Mark Hebler
July 12, 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
July 11, 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.
John Schoonejongen
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.
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
Joe Strupp
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.
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.
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