The former MediaNews Group chairman who teamed with William Dean Singleton (left) in 1983 to begin acquiring newspapers that would eventually comprise the nation’s largest newspaper company by circulation died this morning in Denver. He was 99.
MediaNews Group’s holdings include the Mercury News and numerous other Bay Area properties, including Merc editions published as the Oakland Tribune and Contra Costa Times. Scudder retired as chairman in 2009 and surrendered his shares in 2010 as part of MediaNews’ bankruptcy reorganization.
Here’s an excerpt from the obit in the Denver Post on his long and close relationship with Singleton:
Scudder did part ways with Singleton on one matter: George W. Bush. While his younger partner has been a longtime friend and supporter of Bush, Scudder heaped withering criticism on the president. The disagreement flared in 2004, when both The Denver Post and the Salt Lake Tribune endorsed Bush for re-election.
Asked how they could get along despite the political difference, Scudder told Editor & Publisher magazine: "We just don't talk about it."
Image: Scudder (right) and Dean Singleton in the Denver Post newsroom, 2000; Helen R. Richardson/ Denver Post
