Former WMAR Reporter Lou Davis passed away yesterday.

Davis who reported on Maryland politics for more than three decades and established himself as a State House press corps elder statesman, died of pancreatic cancer Tuesday morning at his Millersville home. He was 79.

A well known figure in Annapolis, he worked the political beat until last year for Maryland Public Television and led coverage of the governor's annual State of the State speech.

He had earlier spent 21 years reporting politics for WMAR-TV as its Annapolis bureau chief.

"Whether you were a politician, staff member or fledgling reporter, Lou was the person you turned to for guidance, insight and perspective," said Sue Kopen, a Philip Merrill College of Journalism lecturer at the University of Maryland. "You could find Lou at the Maryland Inn, after hours, working his story."

House Speaker Michael E. Busch called Mr. Davis "a great gentleman and a great reporter."

"He was widely respected, and an outstanding member of the media," said Delegate Busch, who recalled how lawmakers developed an annual award in Mr. Davis' honor — "The Louie" — to recognize outstanding broadcasters in the State House press corps.

H/T Baltimore Sun