Daryl Nerl, a beautiful writer with a passion for journalism, politics, music and baseball, died Saturday at home in Bethlehem.

Born Oct. 31, 1966 in Brooklyn, N.Y., Daryl was the only child of Norman and Diane Nerl.

He graduated from John Dewey High School and went to New York University on an academic scholarship, earning a bachelor's degree in 1988.  He was pre-med for two years before joining the NYU newspaper staff and falling in love with journalism. His first job out of college was reporting for The Pottsville Republican and then briefly The Scranton Times before arriving at The Morning Call, where he covered Bethlehem, Allentown City Hall and other beats. In recent years, he wrote for Patch.com and freelanced for other news outlets and colleges.

Daryl could exasperate editors by procrastinating on stories and then delight them with his insightful reporting and exquisite writing.  He had a journalist's instinct for spotting a great story and did his best no matter the subject. His was a deep, abiding belief in the First Amendment and the vital role of the press in keeping our democracy healthy.

He possessed a keen intellect but a disorganized nature. His workspace was legendary. One editor described Daryl's desk at the Call's Bethlehem Bureau this way: "To his left was his pyramid of empty diet soda cans that was at least 3-feet tall. To his right was his desk covered with a mountain of documents and reporter's notebooks and embedded in that mess were about a half-dozen ties – already knotted and ready to wear. If Daryl had to go to City Hall, he would slip a tie over his head, cinch up and head out – a nod to convention for a rebel at heart."

He went full steam when engaging in political debates. Injustice outraged him and he was quick to call out racism and rail against attempts to demonize immigrants and the poor.  His soft spot for the downtrodden extended to animals and led him to take in cats, including his latest, Tabitha, though he was allergic to them.

Daryl relished discussing music and baseball, especially his beloved and exasperating New York Mets. He had an almost encyclopedic knowledge of the sport and took part in a Fantasy Baseball League. He shared season tickets to the IronPigs with Morning Call friend Bill White, and in true Old School style, he would score the games while chatting with fellow fans in a booming voice, often accompanied by a hearty laugh.

He loved his mother's cooking and made sure his friends had an ample supply of his mom's jalapeno jelly. From his dad, he got his love of baseball and a zealous appreciation for the blues, rock, old R&B, jazz and classical music. As a family, they looked forward to Musikfest and other concerts. Daryl was a devoted son and after his folks moved from Brooklyn to Bethlehem to be near him, he would regularly drive them to appointments and shopping.

Frequently after work on Fridays, Daryl and his friend Matt Assad would go out for beers and long talks about life. At the end of one not long before Daryl died, Matt said that he felt like he'd been through a therapy session.

Like the loyal friend he was, Daryl responded: "The doctor is always in."

He was a true original; there wasn't a wishy-washy bone in his body. His family, friends and colleagues will dearly miss him.

Survivors: Parents Norman and Diane Nerl and beloved aunts, uncles and cousins.

Services will be held 2 p.m. Saturday at the Weber Funeral Home, 502 Ridge Ave. Allentown, with calling hours from noon-2p.m.

Contributions: In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Center for Animal Health and Welfare, 1165 Island Park Rd., Easton, PA 18042 or The Sanctuary at Haafsville, 901 Nestle Way, Breinigsville, PA 18031