Richard Henry Blacklidge

1971

By R.S. Pritchard

Born in Kokomo, Indiana on June 7, 1914, Blacklidge was the son of Kent H. and Bernice (Kautz) Blacklidge.

He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Purdue University in 1936 and was associated with the University newspaper, The Exponent during his career at Purdue, but he actually began his career in journalism with the Kokomo High School paper.
Immediately after his graduation from college, Blacklidge began selling advertising for the Kokomo Tribune in 1936. In 1938, he was elevated to the position of business manager, a position he held for 17 years.

In 1956 he was named publisher of the paper. He is credited with dynamic efforts in developing modern newspaper technology and in the application of systematic research to publishing problems during his career with the Kokomo Tribune.

Blacklidge served with the Army Air Force in 1944-1945 and has been past president or director of several professional organizations. Among these are the Inland Daily Press Association (President, 1960-61) and the Hoosier State Press Association (President, 1956-57 and 1967-68).

He was the first Hoosier elected to the presidency of the American Newspaper Publishers Association in 1970. He was an active member of the Howard County TB Association and the United Fund as well as the American Legion and Elks Club. He married Marian Reinhartsen on January 5, 1938.