Dow W. Carpenter, 75; Retired Senior Vice President of Times Mirror

Dow W. Carpenter, a retired senior vice president of Times Mirror Co. who oversaw its book and magazine publishing operations during much of his career, died Tuesday while vacationing in Kennebunkport, Maine. He was 75, and suffered from heart disease.

In the early 1960s, while he was a consultant with the management consultant firm of McKinsey & Co., Carpenter worked with Times Mirror Chairman Norman Chandler and others in developing Times Mirror’s strategy as one of the first diversified media companies.

Carpenter joined Times Mirror, the former parent company of the Los Angeles Times, in 1964, and a year later became president of two of Times Mirror’s graphic products subsidiaries. Times Mirror was purchased by the Tribune Co. in 2000.

Beginning in 1972, Carpenter held a variety of executive positions at Times Mirror, including chief financial officer, before retiring as a senior vice president in 1987. He spent much of his tenure overseeing Times Mirror’s book and magazine publishing operations, its cable television business and other activities.

“Dow Carpenter was a remarkably talented executive who contributed a great deal to the growth of the Times Mirror Co.,” said Robert F. Erburu, chairman of Times Mirror until 1995. “Dow’s personal qualities were deeply appreciated by his colleagues.”

Born in Los Angeles, Carpenter graduated from Stanford University in 1950. After serving in the Navy during the Korean War, he graduated from Stanford’s business school in 1955. He joined the fledgling Ramo Wooldridge Co. -- later TRW -- before moving to McKinsey & Co.

Carpenter is survived by his wife, Dian, of Inverness, Calif.; two daughters, Karen Carpenter of Mendocino and Carolyn Fox of Inverness; and two grandchildren. Services will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Foundation for Cardiac Research, P.O. Box 1728, El Cerrito, CA 94530.