Harry Hoiles, Former Register Publisher, Dies

Harry Hoiles, a co-owner of Freedom Communications Inc. and former co-publisher of the Orange County Register, has died. He was 82.

Hoiles died Saturday in Colorado Springs, Colo., after several years of declining health. The cause of his death was not disclosed.

Hoiles published the Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph from 1946 to 1975 and, with his brother, Clarence, was co-publisher of the Register from 1975 to 1979.

Born in Alliance, Ohio, Hoiles attended Ohio State University for a year before spending two years at the California Institute of Technology studying engineering.

At the urging of his father, R.C. Hoiles, he joined what was then known as Freedom Newspapers Inc., which his father founded in the 1930s.

When his father died in 1970, Hoiles became president of the Irvine-based company, which now controls 27 newspapers, six television stations and 22 magazines.

Later, ownership of Freedom was divided among Hoiles’ family and the families of his brother and sister. Forbes magazine estimated in 1995 that each branch was worth $400 million.

Hoiles was a firm believer in libertarian philosophy, which opposes government regulation of businesses and individuals.

While publisher of the Gazette Telegraph, he opposed public schools and suggested that the public pay for police and fire protection voluntarily rather than through taxes.

“If freedom was a man, Harry was his conscience,” said D.R. Segal, president emeritus of Freedom Communications. “He was intently interested in libertarian matters. . . . Harry was essentially a kindly man and one who--right or wrong--believed in what he said and said what he believed.”

In 1962 Hoiles declined an invitation from President John F. Kennedy to discuss his ideas at a White House luncheon.

“I would not want to lend the sanction of my presence to the result of a luncheon such as he proposes,” Hoiles replied.

Hoiles retired from the company’s board of directors in 1990. He suffered a stroke in 1992 and his wife, Barbara, died a year later.

He is survived by his son, Timothy, of Colorado Springs; daughters Pamela Hoiles Firszt of Manchester Center, Vt. and Penney Hoiles Oncken of Missoula, Mont., and seven grandchildren.

Funeral services are scheduled April 21 in Colorado Springs.