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CRANSTON, R.I. (AP) — A longtime political reporter in Rhode Island who won numerous awards over a 40-year career has died at 66.
Bill Rappleye died Thursday, reports WJAR-TV, the television station where he'd worked. He had brain cancer.
Mr. Rappleye spent 18 years at the NBC affiliate mainly covering politics, including hosting the station’s political talk show, moderating campaign debates and reporting from the national conventions. He left last year to report for “Rhode Island PBS Weekly” on RIPBS.
Mr. Rappleye also reported in Boston and New York, WJAR reported.
Scott Isaacs, the station’s news director, remembered Mr. Rappleye as a “tough questioner of people in power.”
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We miss him already. Our friend and former colleague Bill Rappleye has passed away. Nicest and smartest guy in the newsroom. May he Rest In Peace.@nbc10 pic.twitter.com/hnXrAb6dmh
— Patrice Wood (@NBC10_Patrice) January 7, 2021
Many of the state’s top politicians also shared their condolences Thursday.
“Bill was one of the best," Gov. Gina Raimondo said in a statement. “A tenacious reporter, he never shied away from asking tough questions or getting to the bottom of a story. He was thoughtful and smart, but also kind and incredibly funny.”
“I’m incredibly saddened by the news of Bill’s passing,” US Congressman Jim Langevin said on Twitter. “He was a true professional dedicated to informing viewers with compelling, in depth stories. My thoughts are with his loved ones. He will certainly be missed.”
I'm incredibly saddened by the news of Bill's passing. He was a true professional dedicated to informing viewers with compelling, in depth stories. My thoughts are with his loved ones. He will certainly be missed. https://t.co/3DmCV6EANU
— Jim Langevin (@JimLangevin) January 7, 2021
“Our hearts are with the friends and family of Rhode Island’s own Bill Rappleye, a giant in local media and man of integrity,” wrote Lt. Governor Dan McKee on Twitter. “The outpouring of love and endless memories being shared by Rhode Islanders across our state are a testament to the legacy he built. He will be missed.”
Our hearts are with the friends and family of Rhode Island’s own Bill Rappleye, a giant in local media and man of integrity. The outpouring of love and endless memories being shared by Rhode Islanders across our state are a testament to the legacy he built. He will be missed.
— Lt. Governor Dan McKee (@LGDanMcKee) January 8, 2021
Mr. Rappleye’s five daughters, Georgia, Anika, Chesley, Karma and Layla, said their father will be remembered for his “quick wit, love of nature, unpretentiousness and empathy for the less fortunate.”
“His life’s work was to be the champion of the ‘little guy,’ to tell their stories, and to hold politicians accountable for their actions,” they said in statement. “While we know him as our sweet, beloved father, politicians did their best to evade him when they saw Bill at the state capital.”
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Mr. Rappleye was born in Houston and raised in Cambridge, Massachusetts. His brother, Charles Rappleye, a Los Angeles-based investigative reporter and author, died in 2018 from cancer.