Forbes remembers Irving R. Levine

Steve Forbes, the editor in chief of Forbes, remembers legendary NBC News economics correspondent Irving R. Levine, who died last month at 86.

Forbes writes, “Following stints overseas, Levine was given this once dead-end beat in the early 1970s. But the economy soon left the back pages to become a front-page topic, and with its importance Levine’s star rose. He worked hard. When he interviewed me about the flat tax during my runs for President and again, later, when Forbes was doing some uncommon things regarding the company’s health care insurance, Levine did his homework and came prepared.”

Later, he adds, “Levine didn’t hesitate to combine a bit of showmanship with his serious journalism, which is why he insisted on using the ‘R.’ as he sonorously signed off from his broadcast segments: ‘Irving R. Levine, NBC News.’ When NBC tried to get him to drop his middle initial, he wouldn’t do it, quipping, ‘I’d rather drop the ‘B’ in NBC.’ His distinctive bow ties were legendary.

“Levine stood out because of his ability to communicate and relay the essence of complex subjects and because he was an original personality in an industry littered with young, blow-dried anchors and reporters.”

Read more here.