Walter Rybeck, age 96, passed away from pneumonia on May 3, 2021 at Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring, Maryland.
Rybeck dedicated his life to advocating for economic justice, particularly regarding affordable housing, job creation and infrastructure funding. He documented his philosophy in his 2011 book, Re-Solving the Economic Puzzle.
His journalism career began in the late 1940s, when he funded a South American trip by writing columns for West Virginia newspapers. He spent several months stranded in the Galapagos Islands during this expedition.
Born in Wheeling, West Virginia, Rybeck attended West Virginia University before serving in World War II. After the war, he studied at Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio, where he was an accomplished pianist who accompanied singer Coretta Scott King ’51.
Post-graduation, he worked as a reporter for the Columbus Citizen and editor for the Dayton Daily News. In the 1960s, he became Washington Bureau Chief for Cox Newspapers. Notable positions included Assistant Director for the National Commission on Urban Problems and editorial director at the Urban Institute.
Rybeck was survived by his wife of 67 years, Erika Schulhof Rybeck; two sons; and several family members. He was active in various communities, supporting nature programs, folk dance, symphonies, and museums throughout his life.