Former UPI photographer Michael Feldman dies

Aug. 31 (UPI) -- Michael Feldman, a former UPI photographer based out of Philadelphia who later went on to become a top photo editor with the Associated Press, has died. He was 70.

Feldman died and was buried Wednesday in Bensalem, Pa.

Feldman began his career with UPI in the early 1970s in Philadelphia and went on to cover numerous World Series, Super Bowls, Olympics and presidential inaugurations through the mid-1980s.

After UPI, he worked for Reuters in Brussels as a top regional editor and in 1988 moved to the AP, where he worked until his retirement in 2008.

UPI Director of Photography Pat Benic credited Feldman for essentially kick-starting his career by convincing an editor to allow Benic to fill in for a sick photographer in Game 2 of a World Series.

"Mike was respected by everyone in the wire service photo business. He was a great shooter and editor, and a great person," Benic said. "He mentored many photographers and cared for everyone that worked for him."

Feldman is survived by his wife, Mary-Ann Feldman; son, Adam Feldman; grandson, Leo Bowers-Feldman; brother, Carl Feldman; and mother, Dorothy Feldman.