Kenneth MacDonald, editor and publisher who led 'The Des Moines Register', dies

By: E&P Staff

Kenneth MacDonald, 98, an editor and publisher who helped guide The Des Moines Register through half of the 20th century, died Thursday while recovering in West Des Moines from a stroke.

MacDonald spent 50 years with the Register, including 40 years as a top news executive. He also led its sister paper, the afternoon Des Moines Tribune, which ceased publishing in 1982.

Born in Jefferson, MacDonald started at the Register and Tribune in the late 1920s. In 1953, he became the editor of the Register and Tribune after serving as news editor, managing editor and executive editor.

MacDonald became the Register and Tribune's chief operating officer and publisher in 1960. In 1970 he relinquished those duties to David Kruidenier.

Under his watch, a dozen Register staff members won Pulitzer prizes. MacDonald retired in 1977.