Former Richmond biz writer dies

John Lyle, a former business reporter in Richmond, died Saturday, according to an obituary from Ellen Robertson of the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Robertson writes, “In 1986, ‘John was part of the original team that launched [the tabloid section called] Metro Business’ at the News Leader, said Times-Dispatch Publisher Thomas A. Silvestri, who at the time was the News Leader’s business editor. ‘He helped us establish detailed financial charts that listed dozens and dozens of local rates for the first time and compiled the People and Places section, a reader favorite.’

‘Retired Times-Dispatch News Editor Andrew C. Taylor recalled, ‘One of John’s strengths as a newsman was his knowledge of old Richmond. He knew the connections that the power brokers had to each other and that was a valuable asset to have in the newsroom.’

‘Mr. Lyle, who enjoyed vegetable gardening, especially liked covering agriculture and talking with farmers, his son said. One who eschewed commercial fertilizers, he was known for collecting coffee grounds at work to use as a natural fertilizer and attraction for earthworms.”

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