Richard "Dick" T. Schlosberg III, a decorated Air Force pilot and prominent media executive, passed away on Wednesday at 79. Schlosberg, famed for his leadership and philanthropic efforts, died surrounded by family at his home in Alamo Heights after a lengthy battle with brain cancer, according to the San Antonio Report.
Schlosberg's list of accomplishments was extensive, spanning multiple sectors. Besides flying over 200 combat missions in the Vietnam War, he had a formidable presence in the realm of media, heading three major newspapers. His son, Dr. Richard “Rich” T. Schlosberg IV, described his father's desire to relentlessly serve, telling the San Antonio Report, “He was such a service guy — whether he was running a business or participating on a board, he always wanted to... bring service, honor, discipline, support people and lead with integrity.”
In addition to his pivotal roles in the media industry and his military service, Schlosberg was to significantly contribute to the philanthropic sphere as the president and CEO of the David and Lucile Packard Foundation between 1999 and 2003. There, he oversaw the distribution of billions in grants, navigating the foundation during a tumultuous period marked by a significant downturn in assets, from nearly $13 billion to $4.8 billion due to the stock market collapse.
His tenure as a newspaper executive was not without recognition. Schlosberg's leadership at The Los Angeles Times and The Denver Post was distinguished by both publications receiving Pulitzer Prizes under his helm. Schlosberg was known not only to command excellence in his professional life, but also to maintain a close connection with family, often proudly sharing stories and pictures of his loved ones. One of his final acts of family dedication before falling ill was officiating his granddaughter's wedding. He imparted advice on the import of daily gestures of love to the newlyweds, “It’s the little connections you have every day with your partner — the glance, the wink, the gesture — that only the two of you know about, but it means something to the two of you,” he told attendees at the event.
Survived by his wife Kathy, his children, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Schlosberg's impact extended beyond his immediate family to the communities he served. He was a founding chairman of the nonprofit San Antonio Report and played an essential role in its early success. A funeral service is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 19, at the Concordia Lutheran Church. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Texas Biomedical Research Foundation, the San Antonio Report, the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, or a charity of the donor's choice.
