Lee de Forest died on the evening of July 1st, 1961 of a heart attack. He had been healthy most of his 87 years, working in his lab until the end. The New York Times wrote in their obituary: “Though he was credited with more than 300 American and foreign patents and ranked as a leading pioneer in the field of wireless communication, he never reaped the full financial benefits of his work.” De Forest was quoted from his autobiography: “Throughout my long career I have lost no opportunity to cry out in earnest against the crass commercialism, the etheric vandalism of the vulgar hucksters, agencies, advertisers, station owners – all who, lacking awareness of their grand opportunities and moral responsibilities to make radio an uplifting influence, continue to enslave and sell for quick cash the grandest medium which has yet been given to man to help upward his struggling spirit.” From the book, "Lee de Forest: King of Radio, Television, and Film," from Springer Science. Watch the video of the Author's de Forest presentation