Quick Facts
Biography
Richard A. Oppel (born c. 1943 in Florida) is an American journalist and was editor of the Austin American-Statesman from 1995 to 2008. He was previously editor of the Charlotte Observer, which earned three Pulitzer Prizes (sharing one with the Atlanta Constitution for editorial cartoons) under his editorship.
After serving in the Marine Corps, Oppel graduated from the University of South Florida and began his career with The Tampa Tribune.
He worked for the Associated Press and the Detroit Free Press before becoming executive editor of the Tallahassee Democrat in 1977, and then editor of the Charlotte Observer in 1978.
Family
Oppel is married to Carol V. Oppel, a freelance writer specializing in religious topics.
A son, Richard A. Oppel, Jr., is a foreign correspondent for The New York Times. A daughter, Shelby Oppel Wood, is an education reporter at The Oregonian newspaper.