On the recordMay 8, 2019
I begin this morning with a heavy heart, having heard of the abrupt passing of New York Times journalist Robert Pear. It just so happens that Robert lived on my floor in college during freshman year. While everyone else in those days had long hair and wore bell-bottoms, Robert had a flattop, was always studious, inquisitive, polite, and very decent, earning him the nickname ``The Deacon.'' He was the first to go into the library and the last to come out late at night. The Deacon was different from most of us but earned all of our respect. Robert maintained the qualities of studiousness and inquisitiveness, politeness and decency throughout his personal and professional life. In my view, he represented the very best of America. When Robert's byline appeared on a story--and so often, his stories were on the front page, above the fold of the New York Times--the reader knew the reporting would be both important and authoritative. His death is a loss for journalism itself. I send my condolences to his family in this moment of profound grief.
