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There's perhaps been no more beloved and influential citizen in our Upper Ohio Valley and the state of West Virginia over the past half-century than G. Ogden Nutting. From serving as publisher and general manager of The Intelligencer and Wheeling News-Register, to spending decades helping local colleges -- both public and private -- educate future leaders, to serving a vital role on any number of community and civic organizations aimed at improving life for those living in our communities, Nutting selflessly gave of his time and talents in an effort to serve others.
Nutting died Friday at age 87. He leaves an unparalleled legacy of service to our city, our region, and our state.
For more than 50 years, he led The Intelligencer and Wheeling News-Register as its publisher and general manager. His life's work focused on providing the latest and most important and relevant news, sports and feature content to readers, and also providing context on just what that information meant, and its impact on residents and our communities.
Nutting was a believer in the power of local newspapers to bring people and communities together. He had a passion for stories that focused on local people doing extraordinary things -- particularly local students excelling in the classroom or on the field of play.
Yet he also was the first to stand up when an injustice occurred -- particularly if that injustice was handed down by a public official. He was a newspaperman, and understood both the importance of informing local communities and also the responsibility of ensuring that it was done in a fair and unbiased manner. And the newspapers' editorial pages under Nutting's leadership provided a principled approach to matters of local and state interest.
Nutting also served as a trusted adviser to many. When important matters arose in our communities or our state, Nutting was called to weigh in, offering decades of wisdom, experience and guidance to the process.
He offered an even-keeled approach to tackling any issue.
Nutting was passionate about causes surrounding education. He spent 45 years on the Board of Trustees at Bethany College and more than 20 years on the Board of the West Virginia University Foundation.
His service to the state of West Virginia earned him the "Most Loyal West Virginian" award, and his contributions to WVU and the state earned him induction into the Order of Vandalia.
He oversaw the growth and development of Oglebay Park over the past several decades as a member of the Wheeling Park Commission.
He served on numerous local boards and committees. His life centered on what he could do each day to improve life for others in our region. He always put others first.
Nutting's own thoughts when late Wheeling News-Register editor J. Michael Myer died in 2021 are more than fitting to repeat here, as Nutting recalled then perhaps the shortest editorial ever written: "A family loved, a community and state served, a life well lived."
Indeed.
Rest in peace, Ogden Nutting. Your insight and leadership made a difference and will truly be missed.