Rest in Peace: A tribute to longtime board member Natalie Windsor

Natalie Windsor

The Los Angeles Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists is mourning the death of Natalie Windsor Lampel, a longtime board member and former Associated Press reporter, who died Sunday after suffering a stroke last week. She was 72.

“Natalie was an integral part of the SPJ/LA board, serving as an associate board member for several decades,” said veteran SPJ/LA board member Roberta Wax. “She had a deep and longstanding commitment to SPJ and to supporting journalism and journalists, especially students.”

Natalie was born in New York, grew up in Dayton, Ohio, and graduated from Kent State University. She worked in radio in Cleveland, Rochester, Chicago and Phoenix before coming to Los Angeles, working for the AP from 1992-2007 covering varied stories, including country music and entertainment.

Natalie also wrote several books on such varying topics as humor, health, and traveling with children, including ‘How to Fly’, ‘The Safe Tourist’, and ‘1,000,001 Things That Make You Crabby’. Natalie once sang the national anthem at Dodger Stadium and was a leading contestant on Jeopardy until a sports question in Final Jeopardy knocked her out.

“Natalie served on several SPJ committees and was a stalwart at our annual Distinguished Journalists Awards banquet, where she helped with various tasks, including running our silent auction for several years,” recalled Wax. “And she never visited without bringing food. Specifically dessert.”

Retired AP reporter Linda Deutsch, SPJ board member Joel Bellman, SPJ/LA past president, Natalie Windsor

“She was a wonderful and valued member of the board who cared deeply about upholding the values of SPJ and excellence in journalism,” said board member and broadcaster Frank Mottek, while SPJ colleague Joel Bellman said she “was always diligent and conscientious” in her committee work.

Board member and TV reporter Rick Montanez said Natalie was “welcoming and encouraging when I joined SPJ/LA. I knew immediately she was a strong woman with so many stories to tell and a clear passion for journalism.”

“She was a passionate journalist and board member who always had good questions and insightful suggestions,” added board member Richard Saxton. “Her lively and cheerful personality will be missed. She always offered to pitch in and help at SPJLA events.”

Natalie is survived by her daughter, Shoshana, and her brother Michael Precker of Richardson, TX, also a former AP reporter. Natalie willed her body to science, and no service has been scheduled.