Founder of Westlaw, Former CEO of West Publishing Dies at 89

Dwight Opperman—former executive of West Publishing, veteran and philanthropist—died on June 13 at the age of 89.

As of 2008, Forbes ranked Opperman at #1014 on their list of the world's billionaires, with a reputed net worth of $1.1 billion. However, Opperman came from humble origins. His grew up in Perry, Iowa during the Great Depression.

Opperman once told Superlawyers Magazine that his upbringing was "tough."

"We never suffered. We were very poor. Dirt poor. My folks didn't let me know that," Opperman said. "[My father would] go shovel coal all day at the lumberyard, from the railroad cars into whatever. And then in exchange for that they'd give us a load of coal, to heat the house for the month."

According to a report in the Pioneer Press, Opperman served in the U.S. Army in World War II. After the war, he attended Drake University's Law School, graduating in 1951. 

He joined West Publishing as an editor shortly thereafter, and came up through the ranks. In 1968, he became president of the company, which was then headquartered in St. Paul. His is best remembered for being an early proponent of digital media. He is credited with creating Westlaw, now one of the mostly widely-used online legal research services.

He sold West to Thomson Corp. for $3.4 billion 1996. Thomson now has a major operation in Eagan.

Opperman kept a home in Dellwood, MN but his primary residence was in Beverly Hills, CA. The Pioneer Press reports that a funeral service will be held on June 22 in Glendale, CA. A memorial in Minnesota is being planned for August.