Friends,

Let's capture some of why we loved Wilke so much. As one friend of his put it:

"...write up an anecdote – some story where they watched Wilke build up into righteous anger when reporting a story... or ironing out a crease in the fabric of the Journal bureau... And someone should talk about him tearing up when he described taking his kid to college…..Or when he became nearly inconsolable when the anthrax story came back and cost him two fantastic seats at the Nats-Mets game. Describe a time he filled in for people, picked up their loads for them, counseled them, slipped them incredible sources, shared bylines... that will keep him alive and you (and the rest of us) afloat."

Post comments or photos here.

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JW

Thank you all for sharing these wonderful recollections of John. It seems that when a journalist of John’s stature dies, many very eloquent people write to express their love and admiration for him. These testaments help me recall concrete moments and memories of what a wonderful human he was.

I knew John socially through dear friends and not as a WSJ or any other kind of reporter. In the 12 years or so I've known John and Nancy, we might have discussed his work (or mine) once or twice. We talked about life, liberty, baseball, the plight of the Redskins, the merits of Harpur College 5/2/70 vs. Fillmore East 2/13/70, that sort of thing. John was what we refer to as a metaphysical heavyweight, as gracious and steadfast as anyone I have met.

Missing you very much right now mate.

Douglas Lilley

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