Warren Hinckle, San Francisco Journalist, Dies At 77

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) – A longtime fixture on the San Francisco journalism scene has died.

Warren Hinckle was 77 years old. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Hinckle died early Thursday morning. He had been in declining health for some time.

Hinckle was the editor of liberal magazines in the 1960s and 70s, and a prolific writer whose work appeared in a number of newspapers - including the San Francisco Examiner and The Chronicle.

Hinckle liked a cocktail or two - and he was easy to identify: He wore an eyepatch, and was reliably accompanied by his Basset hound Bentley.

Hinckle's brand of crusading journalism didn't pull any punches - nor did it make him many friends among the powerful.

On one memorable evening, Mayor Dianne Feinstein dumped a drink on his head at a public event.

Hinckle wrote a number of books, including one that will be published after his death, entitled "Who Killed Hunter S. Thompson?"