Mark Lacter, a veteran journalist covering business in Los Angeles, has passed away from a stroke. He was 59

Lacter was most recently a writer and editor at LA Observed, where he worked since 2006. He also wrote for Los Angeles magazine and contributed to business coverage on KPCC-FM (89.3).

He was an editor at the Los Angeles Business Journal from 1996 until 2001 when he left to work at Forbes for a year. He returned to the Business Journal as an editor from 2001 through 2005. Lacter also was founding editor of the San Fernando Valley Business Journal, which launched in 1996 as an offshoot of the Los Angeles Business Journal

He earlier was a senior editor in Los Angeles for Forbes magazine and an editor at the Los Angeles Daily News. He worked at Investor’s Business Daily and began his career at the Washington Post.

Lacter suffered a stroke on Wednesday, his wife Laura Levine told LA Observed. He could not survive bleeding on his brain, the website said.

Matt Toledo, publisher of the Los Angeles Business Journal, said Lacter’s contributions to the business community were significant.

“Mark was a passionate reporter, columnist and editor,” Toledo said. “I am very proud of the contributions and leadership he provided the Business Journal. After he left the paper, he continued to be an important voice for our business community.”