Veteran NPR reporter Craig Windham, whose voice was familiar to millions of radio listeners, died on Sunday of a pulmonary embolism. He was 66.
According to The New York Times, the award-winning journalist was visiting his brother, Cris Windham, in Winston-Salem, N.C., when he suddenly fell ill.
Windham, who joined NPR in 1995, was known for delivering succinct, but detailed reports for the network’s top-of-the-hour newscasts.
“In less than 40 seconds, [he] could explain the intricacies of a complicated bill or capture the glory of a space shuttle flying over the nation's capital,” NPR said on Monday.
Journalists and fans took to social media to express their sorrow at Windham's unexpected death.
“Craig touched so many lives,” Robert Garcia, executive producer of NPR's Newscasts, told NPR staff in an email. “He was one of the best reporters and anchors I have ever had the privilege of working with in my 40 years in this business. His beautiful writing, his use of sound, his calm, steady, gorgeous delivery -- all marked the work of a caring journalist who loved nothing more than telling a good story, adding the texture that took you there and leaving every listener invested in some way -- moved or informed.”
Windham's solid reputation spilled into his life outside of journalism as well. He devoted much of his personal time to helping young people, was active in his church and led youth programs and overseas mission trips.
Windham, who had a master’s degree and a doctorate in counseling from George Washington University, also spent two days a week counseling young people on substance abuse and depression.
“Several parents have told me that he saved their kids’ lives,” Britt Rathbone, who owns the clinic in Bethesda, Maryland, where Windham worked as a counselor, told the Times.
Windham is survived by his brother, a niece and a nephew.