By:Leatrice Slote Spanierman
Founded chain of award-winning community newspapers
Robert Richner, founder of the award-winning Herald Community Newspapers, died of congestive heart failure Tuesday, Sept. 18, at New York Hospital, after an extended illness. He was 79.
Mr. Richner was the former president and publisher of Richner Communications, which owns the Valley Stream Herald and 13 other weekly newspapers on Long Island. He resided in Hewlett Harbor and Boca Raton, Fla.
Mr. Richner, who kept a low profile in the community, was a powerful force behind the scenes. He did not choose to be the face of the newspapers; he was the backbone. He gave his staff complete editorial freedom, demanding only truth and fairness, and he supported his editors' decisions when there were political and financial consequences.
In 1964, while practicing accounting, he invested in two struggling community newspapers, The Rockaway Journal and Nassau Herald, which were published a block away from his office in Lawrence. By sheer determination and hard work, he established a dynasty in community news. He and his wife and colleague, Edith Richner, first placed the business on a sound financial basis and then began to expand the company. When he stepped down as publisher in 1987, Richner Communications included seven newspapers, an advertising shopper of 100,000 circulation and a thriving commercial printing division. The Herald Community Newspapers have often been recognized for editorial excellence. The Nassau Herald, the chain's flagship, has consistently been recognized as one of the best community newspapers in the state and has received national honors.
Those who worked with the Richners in the early days of their association with the newspapers remember their dedication to learning the business. Bob Richner drew upon his impressive intelligence and mobilized his strong resolve to master the art and science of publishing. He and Edith Richner were in the office from early in the morning until early the next morning, day after day, creating their successful enterprise.
His newspapers were outspoken and independent, often infuriating the political powers in Nassau County who controlled most levels of local government. His publications spearheaded many crusades to combat injustice and to enrich the lives of the people who lived in the community. It was his newspapers that reached out to the readers, not only reporting to them but also listening to them and responding to their needs.
Bob Richner's efforts to integrate the pressroom in 1967 led union workers to sabotage the newspapers' press. While the equipment was being repaired, the printing plant burned to the ground in a fire that was deemed suspicious. He rebuilt using state-of-the-art technology, converting production from the old "hot type" letterpress method to offset printing, years before the larger dailies also modernized their plants.
His sons Clifford and Stuart, who had worked at the company since they were youngsters, succeeded him, taking over as publishers in 1987. Today Richner Communications is the largest community newspaper publisher on Long Island, encompassing 14 community newspapers and PrimeTime, a free shopping guide. Total circulation is approximately 200,000.
Mr. Richner was born on the Lower East Side of Manhattan in 1922 and raised in the Bronx, the son of a taxi driver. He graduated from Morris High School. During World War II, he served as a navigator in the Army Air Corps and held the rank of second lieutenant.
After the war he attended Pace College on the G.I. Bill and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in accounting in 1949. Following graduation he worked briefly for the firm of Seidman and Seidman as a Certified Public Accountant, before branching out on his own in Manhattan. He practiced accounting in New York City and Long Island for the next 15 years.
Robert Richner is survived by his wife and business partner of 51 years, the former Edith Murofchick; three sons, Clifford of Manhattan, Stuart and his wife Nancy of Rockville Centre and Donald and his wife Carole of Stamford, Conn., and five grandchildren, Zachary, Gregory, Lucas, Kate and Willie.
Funeral services were held Thursday, Sept. 20, at Temple Israel of Lawrence. Internment followed at Beth Moses Cemetery in Pinelawn.
Leatrice Slote Spanierman, former executive editor of Richner Communications, worked with Robert Richner from the time he became publisher until his retirement.
