CHARLES TOWN, W.Va., Aug. 14 (UPI) -- Jack W. Germond, who covered the political scene in Washington for five decades, died early Wednesday, his wife said. He was 85.
Alice Travis Germond said her husband died at his home overlooking the Shenandoah River in Charles Town, W.Va., of complications of chronic lung disease, The Baltimore Sun reported.
Germond, who covered Washington for the Rochester (N.Y.) Times-Union, the Washington Star and the Sun co-authored a syndicated column, "Politics Today," with Jules Witcover for 24 years. He was also known for his appearances on TV shows like "Meet the Press" and as the author of six books, four of them written with Witcover.
He continued to write after his retirement from the Sun in 2000, contributing columns to the Daily Beast in 2012.
"Jack was a truly dedicated reporter and had an old-fashioned relationship with politicians. He liked them but that did not prevent him from being critical when they did bad things and behaved badly. That was a trademark of Jack's," Witcover said.
Germond's first marriage ended in divorce. His second wife recently retired as secretary of the Democratic National Committee.
He is also survived by a daughter from his first marriage.
