Former NPR President and CEO Kevin Klose died Wednesday at the age of 85. During his tenure, NPR received a multimillion-dollar gift from the late Joan Kroc that enabled the network to weather financial crises. Jacques Coughlin/Jacques Coughlin/NPR hide caption

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Jacques Coughlin/Jacques Coughlin/NPR

Former NPR President and CEO Kevin Klose, a buoyant and transformative leader who helped to propel the public broadcaster into the top ranks of major U.S. networks, died Wednesday morning in his sleep from complications of Alzheimer's disease. He was 85.

His death was confirmed by WBUR CEO Margaret Low, a family friend and former leader of NPR's news and programming divisions.

Klose demonstrated a keen and personal understanding of the news mission at NPR's core. His shock of white hair bobbed with excitement as he spoke with reporters and editors in the corridors of the network's Washington, D.C. headquarters. He would leave voicemails and fire off emails in appreciation for specific stories.…