Ogden Nutting, longtime head of Ogden Newspapers, dies

Ogden Nutting

G. Ogden Nutting, who watched his family newspaper chain spread from West Virginia to 17 other states, died Friday, Aug. 25, at age 87.

Nutting was the grandson of H.C. Ogden of Wheeling, who founded Ogden Newspapers in 1890. Nutting became president of the company in 1970, when it owned seven daily and two weekly newspapers in West Virginia and 19 other newspapers across the country, reports The Intelligencer, the chain's flagship. It now has more than 50 dailies and 80 weeklies, mostly in small markets, and is run by his son, CEO Robert Nutting, who also owns the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Ogden Nutting was the “last of the great publishers in the history of newspapers in West Virginia,” West Virginia Press Association Executive Director Don Smith told The Intelligencer.  “Ogden Nutting symbolized the family newspaper ownership that served as the structure of our association during the last century and ensured a free and independent press across West Virginia.”

Nutting received many awards and established a scholarship fund at West Virginia University for juniors and seniors studying print media, as well as a library endowment, multimedia studio, visiting professorship and semimar series. He was part of an effort by publisher Kevin McClatchy to keep the Pirates in Pittsburgh and build PNC Park. He "was chronicled in Ski magazine for likely skiing at more ski resorts than anyone had skied before," The Intelligencer reports.

Nutting is survived by his wife, Betty Woods “Snookie” Nutting; his brother, William C. Nutting; sons William and Robert Nutting; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. "There will be no visitation or public service," The Intelligencer reports. "Those desiring to do so should make contributions to the church or charity of their choice."