Austin H. Kiplinger, a publisher, civic leader and philanthropist who sustained the growth of his family’s media empire and whose interests ranged from raising wheat to collecting memorabilia of the city’s history, died Nov. 20 at a hospice in Rockville, Md., reports The Washington Post.

According to The Post’s report:

“Kiplinger was the son of a prominent journalist-entrepreneur and the father of two others. After an early career as a reporter and broadcast news commentator, he joined the family business and oversaw its steady expansion.

“Kiplinger Washington Editors, founded in 1920 by his father, Willard M. Kiplinger, included business and economics forecasting publications that carried great influence. Many columnists, particularly those writing on finance, cited the company’s findings as authoritative.

“The company, which Austin Kiplinger led for more than three decades as president or chairman, was valued at more than $100 million when he passed control to his sons, Todd and Knight Kiplinger, in about 2000.”

Austin Kiplinger died at age 97.