Neuharth wanted to own and control a newspaper. That ambition grew from his experience as editor of his high school newspaper. After graduating from the University of SOuth Dakota, Neuharth first worked for the Associated Press and then raced through reporting and editing jobs at the Knight newspaper chain.

In 1963 he joined Gannett as general manager of its newspapers in Rochester, New York. He rose to president and then chief executive of Gannett in 1979. Neuharth moved Gannett to Rosslyn and turned the regional chain of small papers into a media empire with 85 newspapers and 26 broadcast outlets. During his tenure, Gannett's annual revenues increased from $200 million to $3.3 billion - with 21 straight years of earnings gains.

Still he itched to fulfill his ambition of starting a national newspaper. Against the advice of virtually everyone, Neuharth launched USA Today in 1982. Critics called it McPaper because of its short stories, jazzy graphics and splashy color - even his blue-and-white vending machines made news. USA Today now has a circulation of 2.4 million, and Neuharth's folloy is worth perhaps $2 billion.

Neuharth retired from Gannett in 1989. He writes a weekly column for USA Today and is chairman of the Freedom Forum, one of the nation's largest charitable foundations.

Al Neuharth is known for his flamboyant style, but his Gannett colleagues valued the man behind the hype. USA Today former editor John C. Quinn said when Neuharth retired, "He's a country boy with small-community standards, proud and pleased with what he's accomplished."