(Honolulu, HI) - Cecil Heftel, broadcast industry pioneer, died Thursday in San Diego, according to his family. In a short news release, family members said Heftel, 85, had "been in failing health for a while and died of natural causes."

Heftel was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1924 where he attended public schools. He then moved to Tempe, Arizona to study at the Arizona State University where he obtained his bachelor's degree in 1951. Heftel moved on to the University of Utah and New York University for graduate work. From 1943 to 1946, Heftel left broadcasting to serve in the Army Air Force.

He was a pioneer in the 1950s radio industry managing stations in Idaho, Utah, Colorado and Arizona. In 1957 Heftel pioneered what was then called Top 30 programming. He purchased KIMN in Denver in one of the nation's most competitive radio markets. KIMN became the dominate #1 rated radio station in Denver before Heftel moved to Honolulu buying Hawaii's KGMB radio and TV stations in 1965. Heftel made his fortune in the radio and television industries, and was one of Honolulu's most successful broadcasters, owning the KGMB television and radio stations in the 1960s and 70s.

Heftel put aside his broadcasting career and became active in Hawaii Democratic politics in 1976. He ran and won election to the U.S. House of Representatives for the 1st Congressional District where he served until 1986 when he resigned to run for governor. Heftel was upset in the Democratic primary election by John Waihee, who went on to become governor defeating D.G. "Andy" Anderson. Heftel blamed his defeat on a last-minute smear campaign.

He later left the islands and relocated to Las Vegas where he concentrated on broadcast business interests. Heftel is credited for being a radio-industry visionary by seeing an opportunity to serve the burgeoning Hispanic population in the United States and buying Spanish-language FM stations in Los Angeles. The company, Heftel Broadcasting, later became known as Hispanic Broadcasting Company.