Ira R. Manson; Philanthropist, Publisher of Testing Materials

Ira R. Manson, 59, philanthropist and Los Angeles publisher of psychological testing. Born in Los Angeles and an Army veteran, Manson earned his degrees at Cal State Los Angeles and UCLA. He took over the cottage publishing business, Western Psychological Services, established by his parents in 1948. The younger Manson developed the small company into a multimillion-dollar leader in educational and psychological assessment materials. In the 1970s, Manson also published Human Behavior magazine for the general public. In 1992, he helped to found the Assn. of Test Publishers. As a philanthropist, Manson was a major contributor to music and arts organizations including the Los Angeles County Music Center and Los Angeles County Museum of Art. He was also active in Democratic political organizations and the United Jewish Welfare Fund. On Friday in Los Angeles of cardiac arrest during surgery.