Rhode Island Mourns Death Of Bill Rappleye, Longtime Journalist

PROVIDENCE, RI — A longtime figure of the Rhode Island news media has died. Bill Rappleye died Thursday following a battle with cancer, according to those closest to him.

Rappleye spent 25 years at NBC 10 WJAR in Cranston, reporting on politics. He left the station a year ago to work at Rhode Island PBS.

The news was first reported by Michelle San Miguel, Rappleye's PBS colleugue and a former WJAR employee, as well.

The news of Rappleye's death prompted an outpouring of support from his former NBC 10 colleagues, political figures and other Rhode Island journalists.

"It is heartbreaking to learn of my friend ⁦Bill Rappleye’s passing," wrote NBC 10 anchor Dan Jaehnig. "I was Bill's intern in Boston where he took me under his wing and helped me get in the biz."

Scott Isaacs, the news director at WJAR, called Rappleye "as old school as it gets."

"Tough day here at NBC 10 as we mourn the passing of Bill Rappleye," he tweeted. "A tough questioner of people in power, and someone who actually wanted to do live shots in the worst weather imaginable ... Bill was a thoughtful and funny guy and he will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers to his family."

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse said the loss of "'Rapp,' to those who knew him in the political world" was "a real loss [of] a good man."

"I always enjoyed talking with Bill Rappleye," tweeted Senate President Dominick Ruggerio. "He was a class act. My deepest condolences to his family and friends."

Ruggerio and House Speaker K Joseph Shekarchi issued a joint statement of condolence.

"We are deeply saddened by the news of Bill Rappleye's passing," the statement said in part. "Bill was a reporter of the highest integrity. He had a keen political sense and never shied away from asking the tough questions, but he always treated his subjects with impartiality and fairness. Most of all, Bill was a gentlemen to his core."