W. Rice Odell, Washington newspaper and longtime NPC member, dies at 86

W. Rice Odell, 86, a former Washington newspaper reporter, author of books about environmental issues, and member of the National Press Club for 23 years, died Feb. 3. His death, at a hospital in Washington, was caused by complications from a stroke, according to his son, Colin Odell.

Born in Lake Forest, Ill., Odell moved in 1950 to the District and lived there for the rest of his life. In the 1950s and 1960s, he covered consumer issues and courts as a reporter and columnist for the old Washington Daily News.

He later wrote environmental newsletters for the Conservation Foundation and was the author of books including "The Saving of San Francisco Bay" (1972) and "Environmental Awakening" (1980).

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