Frank Schier -- the longtime owner and publisher of The Rock River Times -- has passed away at the age of 62, the Rockford news outlet announced on its website.
Schier also was co-founder of the Rockford Area Music Industry awards; the River District Association; and the Rock River National Water Trail. He also served on the Rockford College board.
According to the publication, Schier was diagnosed with lung and brain cancer last fall and was receiving treatment at the University of Wisconsin hospital in Madison at the time of his death.
Schier also was a longtime supporter of WNIJ.