Former Indy Star biz editor dies from cancer

Jerry Lyst, the business editor of the Indianapolis Star during the 1970s, died Sunday from pancreatic cancer. He was 76.

Scott Thien of the paper writes, “‘He was a true gentleman and fine journalist who always was willing to listen,’ said Jane Lichtenberg, The Star’s coordinator of community conversations. ‘Even though the newspaper’s editorial pages were considered conservative, he was always very open to hearing all sides.’

“Lichtenberg worked for Lyst for more than 25 years in various roles, starting first as a business reporter when he ran the business department in the 1970s. He was editor, and she was the sole reporter.

“‘He truly cared about the community. He was a wonderful writer and very particular about getting the story right,’ Lichtenberg said of Lyst, who retired from The Star in 2000.

“He received a national Casper Award in 1969 for a series of stories documenting the difficulties of finding jobs for the hard-core unemployed.”

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