Germond died `` peacefully and quickly , '' having just completed a novel , his wife , Alice , wrote in a note to friends . `` He lived a marvelous , full and well loved life , '' she wrote , adding : `` To his many friends , he appreciated the great company , story , scoop , competition and laughter . Smith 's wife says he died peacefully " . The legendary journalist covered politics for more than 50 years . Among his books was ` ` Fat Man Fed Up ''
Smith 's wife says he died peacefully " . The legendary journalist covered politics for more than 50 years . Among his books was ` ` Fat Man Fed Up ''