Dick Tracy's Michael Kilian dead at 66

WASHINGTON, Oct. 27 (UPI) -- Dick Tracy comic writer and award-winning Chicago Tribune journalist Michael Kilian has died in Washington at age 66.

The author of 24 books and winner of the 1971 United Press International humor writing award died Wednesday after a long illness, the Chicago Tribune reported Thursday.

Kilian wrote more than 6,000 articles during his 40 years as a columnist and reporter for the Chicago Tribune. He moved to the Tribune's Washington bureau in 1977 where he remained until recently when a liver ailment forced him to step back, the Tribune said.

Kilian's books included Civil War mysteries and Cold War novels as well as tomes based on terrorism and presidential intrigue, the Tribune said.

Kilian collaborated with cartoonist Dick Locher on the Dick Tracy comic strip.

He is survived by his wife, Pamela, two sons and his stepmother, Sara. He is to be buried in Arlington National Cemetery with a memorial service Nov. 26.