NPR colleagues are paying tribute to audio engineer Renee Pringle who died after experiencing a number of health challenges in recent months. She was 69.

Pringle helped shape the sound of NPR for more than 40 years, states NPR, and is being remembered as a pioneer in her field, a prolific and steadfast presence — even on the most hectic of overnight shifts — and a friend to many.”

In 1979 she started at NPR as one of its first Black female audio engineers, at a time when few women worked professionally in audio.

“Renee joined NPR in an era when our engineers carried bulky, 20-pound recorders in the field and everything was recorded on reel-to-reel tape,” said Chris Nelson, NPR’s senior vice president of technology operations. “She recorded and engineered an incalculable number of field interviews, music performances and NPR programs.”

Pringle mixed countless pieces for Morning Edition and the overnight newscast, among other programs, and is being remembered by many colleagues for her invaluable technical guidance (several reporters credit her with “saving” them early in their careers).