Longtime D.C. reporter Bob Strickland dies

WASHINGTON, Oct. 4 (UPI) -- Bob Strickland, a reporter at WUSA television in Washington for almost three decades, has died. He was 72.

Strickland, who won three local Emmys, died at his home Sept. 26 of hypertensive cardiovascular disease, The Washington Post reported Saturday.

Strickland joined the station in 1969 as a general assignment reporter, covering such stories as the Hanafi Muslims' rampage in the city 31 years ago and the FBI's 1990 arrest of then-Mayor Marion Barry on drug charges.

He co-founded a mentoring program for aspiring minority journalists, the newspaper reported.

"A lot of folks in this business have Bob Strickland to thank for his dedication and their careers," said Ron Townsend, former news director and station manager at WUSA. "He also was the best writer I ever ran into."

Strickland won his Emmys for reports on fraudulent charities, shortages of ambulances and paramedics, and the lack of medical services in the Washington area.

Rupert Strickland was born in Rainbow City, Panama Canal Zone, where he began his broadcasting career as a radio announcer in 1952.

He is survived by his wife of six years, Janet Payne Strickland of Washington; two children from his first marriage, a daughter from his second marriage, and four children from other relationships, 19 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.