Richard Shortway dies at 84; publisher of Vogue, senior executive at Conde Nast

Richard Shortway, a longtime publisher of the U.S. edition of Vogue magazine and a former senior executive at Conde Nast, died of cancer Monday at his home in Bel-Air, said his wife, Noreen. He was 84.

Shortway worked for Conde Nast Publications for 46 years and was publisher of its Vogue magazine from 1969 to 1987. After leaving Vogue, he spent five years in London for Conde Nast as publishing director of British Vogue. He also launched British GQ and the British edition of Vanity Fair.

Shortway returned to the United States in 1992 as vice president of Conde Nast International, with overall U.S. responsibility.

“Dick was a giant of publishing . . . a rare human being who leaves an indelible mark on his business and his personal relationships,” S.I. Newhouse, chairman of Conde Nast Publications, said in a statement. “I worked closely with Dick for many years and learned a lot from him.”

A native of Fairlawn, N.J., Shortway was born Feb. 17, 1924. He enrolled at Western Reserve University, but his studies were interrupted by World War II. He served as a first lieutenant in the Army Air Forces and flew 31 missions over Germany. He received several medals, including the Distinguished Flying Cross.

After the war, he started his career as an advertising representative for Women’s Wear Daily. He later held several advertising posts at Glamour magazine in the 1950s and early ‘60s before joining Vogue, also in advertising. He was named Vogue’s advertising director in 1964 and publisher in 1969.

Three of Shortway’s four marriages ended in divorce.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by three children, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Gates, Kingsley & Gates Moeller Murphy Funeral Home, 1925 Arizona Ave., Santa Monica.

Instead of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to the Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation, 1 Intrepid Square, New York, NY 10036.

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