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Robert D. McFadden

b. 1937

American journalist

Obituary writerJournalist
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About Robert D. McFadden

Born 1937. Robert D. McFadden is an American obituary writer and journalist.

Robert Dennis McFadden (born February 11, 1937) is an American journalist who worked for The New York Times from 1961 to 2024. He won a Pulitzer Prize in 1996. In 1996, he won the annual Pulitzer Prize for Spot News Reporting, citing "his highly skilled writing and reporting on deadline during the year". His writing has covered a wide range of topics including plane crashes, hurricanes, strikes, blackouts, government affairs, health, crime, transportation, politics, education, the environment, and mass media. As of his retirement, he was listed as senior writer on the newspaper's Obituaries desk. Because he focused on advance obituaries, written before the deaths of their subjects, he retired with hundreds of obituaries yet to run.

New York Press Club's Byline Award for Spot News Reporting in 1973, 1974, 1980, 1987 and 1989

New York Newspaper Guild's Page One Award for Local Reporting

Peter Kihss Award from the Society of the Silurians

University of Wisconsin–Madison Chancellor's Award for Distinguished Service to Journalism and Mass Communication

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Obituary writer, journalist
Nationality
Education
University of Wisconsin–Madison, University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire
Employers
The New York Times
Awards
Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News Reporting
Also known as
Robert McFadden, Robert Dennis McFadden, ROBERT D. McFADDEN

People in Robert D. McFadden's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Robert D. McFadden's

Frequently asked questions

Who is Robert D. McFadden?

American journalist

When was Robert D. McFadden born?

Robert D. McFadden was born on 11 February 1937 in Milwaukee.

What is Robert D. McFadden's occupation?

Robert D. McFadden is an obituary writer and journalist.

What nationality is Robert D. McFadden?

Robert D. McFadden is American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Robert D. McFadden

· Wikidata: Q7343324

· DBpedia: Robert D. McFadden

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Robert D. McFadden. https://biography.guide/robert-d-mcfadden/

MLA: "Robert D. McFadden." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/robert-d-mcfadden/.

Chicago: "Robert D. McFadden." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/robert-d-mcfadden/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-22 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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