Harsh words.

Veteran Los Angeles Times reporter Kenneth Reich learned the hard way that no matter how frustrating new technologies may be, even 21st century problems may be best solved with old-fashioned diplomacy.

Reich, 66, was struggling with an Internet-based expense reporting system dubbed "Extensity" when he asked a newsroom aide for help.

"I was having a terrible time with it," he said. "It's all part of the centralization of the company in Chicago," he said in reference to Tribune Co., the Times' Chicago-based parent.

When help was either slow to come or didn't come at all, Reich got upset.

"Blowing up is too harsh a term to use. I yelled and it was heard by quite a few people. I apologized, and got her flowers, but it was too late," he said.

Reich, known for his mercurial temper during his 39 years at the Times, was nicknamed the "Third Reich" early in his career.

Reich said he huddled with Times Managing Editor Dean Baquet and Leo Wolinsky, the Page One deputy managing editor, where he was given an ultimatum: take an early retirement severance package or be fired.

In response to calls placed to Baquet and Wolinsky, Times spokeswoman Martha Goldstein wrote in an e-mail only that Reich had retired from the Times, effective the end of June.

Reich has covered four presidential campaigns, as well as southern politics as the Atlanta bureau chief in the late 1960s.

He said he had tried to hold out until his 40th anniversary at the paper next year, but his deteriorating health had been a factor in making the decision to leave.