NY Times editor R.W. Apple Jr. dies

WASHINGTON, Oct. 5 (UPI) -- Noted New York Times reporter and editor R.W. Apple Jr., who wrote on a variety of subjects from politics to food, died in Washington, D.C., at age 71.

The Times said Apple, who during his 40 years with the newspaper reported from more than 100 countries, died Wednesday of complications from thoracic cancer.

"With his Dickensian byline, Churchillian brio and Falstaffian appetites, Mr. Apple, who was known as Johnny, was a singular presence at The Times almost from the moment he joined the metropolitan staff in 1963," the report said.

Apple had been The Times bureau chief in Albany, Lagos, Nigeria; Nairobi, Kenya; Saigon, Moscow, London and Washington. He covered 10 presidential elections and led The Times' coverage of the Vietnam War in the 1960's.

Executive Editor Bill Keller said, "From his sickbed he hammered out his last words to readers, negotiated details of the menu and music for his memorial service, followed the baseball playoffs and the latest Congressional scandal with relish, and cheered up the friends who came by to cheer him up. He was himself to the last."

Surviving are his wife, and two stepchildren from her first marriage, and a sister.