Newsman Irving R. Levine Dies at 86
Longtime NBC Business Reporter
Newsman Irving R. Levine Dies at 86
Longtime NBC Business Reporter
Irving R. Levine, a longtime NBC newsman who reported on economic matters for decades, died March 27, 2009. He was 86.
Recognizable for his signature bow ties and somewhat bookish demeanor, Levine started at NBC in 1950, when he covered the Korean War, and remained until 1995. He then retired to Florida, where he became dean of the college of international communication at Lynn University in Boca Raton.
In 1971, Levine became NBC’s principal economics correspondent. In this role was appeared on regular newscasts as well as Meet the Press. In his latter years with NBC he did weekly commentaries on CNBC.
Levine was born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, and got his start in journalism in 1940, writing obituaries for The Providence Journal. He also worked as a correspondent for the International News Service and The Times of London.
During his lengthy tenure at NBC, he reported from numerous foreign locales, including Korea, Moscow, Vietnam, Algeria, Poland and South Africa.
His experience in Moscow inspired a book titled Main Street, U.S.S.R.
When his days as a foreign correspondent wound down, Levine had reportedly aspired to cover the State Department. But in early 1971, NBC asked him early to cover business news instead.
He retired from Lynn University in 2004 but continued to be a prominent fixture on campus.
He is survived by his wife and their three children.