Islands Business - Tributes to RKR

Robert Keith-Reid, one of the South Pacific region’s most respected journalists, passed away in Brisbane on Saturday morning. The founder-publisher of Islands Business magazine was recovering from heart surgery in Brisbane shortly after he suffered a heart attack in Honiara while on assignment last month.

Here are some of the tributes that have come in from readers, colleagues, mediapersons and friends from all over the world.
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Click here to read tributes from the media.

I had the privlege of being in Fiji for the election alongside long time pals Sean Dorney and Mike Field. We were gutted to hear of Robert's passing, greatly missing his sharp analysis and wit, barbed comments aimed at people who so richly deserved them...but most of all his company. So where better to go to raise a glass in tribute to our friend than Traps.
Condolences to Robert's family and Laisa and the team at Islands Business.

Barbara Dreaver,
TVNZ,
Auckland, New Zealand.

Like so many others, I was greatly saddened by the news of Robert's death. For me, he remained a lifeline to the South Pacific, and I was looking forward to many more animated discussions over a beer or two. He was a journalist of the highest distinction and integrity and a beachcomber always searching for the news. I hope others can continue in the same vein, because the region really needed him. I feel this is getting pompous and hear him saying 'load a crap, load a crap'. It isn't.

David Harrison
Brighton, England

I was very sad to hear of the passing of RKR ˆ I got to know him very well during my time with SPTO in Fiji (1995/99). We enjoyed many business and personal discussions (some a little heated) including impromptu meetings in the Fiji Club and Yacht Club --since I moved on in 1999 we kept in touch by email, via Islands Business and we met on my occasional visits to Suva - I guess like all of us this sad news was totally unexpected, Robert was "one of a kind" and will be sadly missed by all who knew the "real" man my occasional visits to Fiji will not be the same --RKR will always be remembered - it was a pleasure and a privilege to have known him. My sincere condolences to his family

Paul Ridoutt
Tourism Consultant, Caribbean Tourism Organisation
Barbados, West Indies

We have lost yet another great character in the South Pacific's media scene . I only heard today on Moreton Island, Queensland, via my solar-powered phone and email of Robert's passing . The bar of the Fiji Club and media development in all South Pacific countries will be never the same with his business class passage to that big club in the sky. I join my wantoks in PNG and the Solomons in saying "sori tru" to his family and colleagues on Robert's death. Em nau.

Bob Howarth
Queensland, Australia

Robert:
"Sound, sound the clarion, fill the fife, through the sensual world proclaim, one crowded hour of glorious life is worth an age without a name."

You'll be remembered.

Geoff Smith
Melbourne, Australia

I am so impressed with the outpour of condolences for our dad. I first met him when I was five going on six years of age. Boy did I give hime grief..he lingered despite my young attempts to push him away...persistent I thought. He had become a permanent fixture in my life five years later for twenty great years. In a way, I had prepared him for thunderous Kialiki whom he adored and loved- she was a huge part of his world and he was always amazed at how quick she grew as he tried to negotiate rules in the house for her etc. She had him wrapped around his fingers and he knew it. Although he appeared aloof to the public he was an extrovert in personal relationships with his family... He was even a grandfather which may shock some of you.

My last conversation with him was about"The Da Vinci Code",four day's before he passed away.He was sketical as usual and told me 'not to buy into the hype and that it was rubbish...not based on facts'.I'm glad to have debated with him one last time and to hear his regular phrase"right...right..what's the latest scandal'? My mum Liliana, and sister Kialiki, as well as my children Liliana and Kevin miss him so much and we thank everyone for their generous thoughts. It is comforting to know that his work was appreciated and that he had affected the lives of more than just his family.

Meligrita Smith
Santa Roas, California, USA

We are both sad to hear the passing away of Robert.

It was a pleasure working with him and getting to know him.

This will be a great loss to the Fiji Media.

Please convey our condolences to the staff at IBI and Robert's family.

Ros and Rob Phillips
Southampton, United Kingdom

We have lost a great and complex friend. The name of RKR will forever be synonymous with courageous, pioneering journalism in the South Pacific. He even took a risk and published me, a humble nobody-freelancer, on a couple of occasions. Bing, set'em up old mate. We'll all be joining you eventually! Moce, tau.

Tony Moore
Sydney, Australia

Robert, is the most respected journalist I have ever known over thirty years and have come to know him as a friend who is ultra trustworthy. He will remain a true friend and I wish to extend my sincere and deep sympathies to his family on behalf of my wife and family at this time of their sorrow. May God Bless them All and keep them in his eternal care.

Leo D. Keke
Yaren, Nauru

Glad to have known you, Robert.

Rest in peace.

With love and laughter

Madhur Singh
Wyoming, USA

This is a sad time for us all. Robert was someone who was never afraid of creating controversy and he will be sorely missed and difficult to replace. He worked hard to make Islands Business a success and the media social scene in Suva and at PINA conventions has lost an icon. He will be remembered for his services to media and his classic outbursts and antics will become part of media legend.

I suggest we all have a drink on him. That would be what he would have wanted.

Marc Neil - Jones
Publisher, Vanuatu Daily Post
Port Vila, Vanuatu

Robert,

Thank you for your insight, satire, wit and friendship over the years. You will be sadly missed and well remembered by many.

Ross Chapman and Bryan Welch
Tonga

I had known Robert since we both joined FBC-Radio Fiji on the same day 16 December 1960. He joined Rhys Campbell to setup Radio Fiji's newsroom and I had joined the Hindi Division. Later when he joined the Fiji Times and then took over Islands Business and I went to News and Current Affairs we rubbed shoulders covering many issues and events.He was always hunting for- as he called it "gutsy" stories. He had the unique ability to give his stories a twist with wry humour. I was looking forward to his analysis of the Fiji elections but it was not to be - his writings will be sorely missed. So long Robert. Please covey my heartfelt condolences to his wife, daughter and Mum.

Jai Kumar (Ex Radio Fiji)
Assistant Manager Program Support
SBS Radio, Sydney

Robert, it was a privilege having known you. As I have told you once in the Fiji Club a few years back, I considered you the (late) Rudolf Augstein (founder and publisher of the German weekly "Der Spiegel") of the South Pacific. Your sidetrack columns were so addictive as were your sarcastic but still humerous ways to analyse politics, the usual S.P. corruption and specially your superb assessments of current affairs in ROTFI.

With you gone, Fiji has lost not only the greatest journalist in the Pacific but also Fiji's most esteemed political commentator.

Dani Zender,
Zurich, Switzerland

I really only got to know Robert through the Samoa and Nuku'alofa PINA Conferences, and through his writing in IB and the FT.

Though I'd heard much about him second-hand, only in the last few years did I have brief but valuable opportunities to actually meet and talk with him.

I was able to develop my own considerable and growing respect for this all but living legend in Pacific journalism.

I last saw Robert one night at JJ's in Suva in early March when he was following up a rumour about an interesting Australian he'd heard was back in town.

He saw me, we met at the bar, and repaired, with Fiji Bitters in hand, to sit watchfully and chat.

He seemed weary. Not just tired, but very weary. He'd just published another mammoth IB edition, and was working on the April edition.

I was very grateful for that brief meeting and what, so sadly, was to be our last meeting. I'd hoped it was just another meeting of what would be many more in the future.

I endorse the fine sentiments and comments that have already been made here and elsewhere about him.

Vale, Robert.

Mark Hayes
Indooroopilly, Australia

Robert and I were part of the founding students of the Suva Grammar School and this was my first contact with him - back then a man of few words but not missing a thing. My last contact was running into him at the Travellodge during the Grammar Reunion in 1995 and it was like we had spoken the day before. Over the years I have enjoyed reading his work, I know that he will be greatly missed. Wishing I could do more than send you my lolomas and myy heartfelt condolences to both his personal and business families.

Loloma bibi yani

Ruth Turner nee Johnson
Culver City, California, USA

Bing, Robert Keith-Reid was my best friend's brother ... a quirky kid, who did his own thing. It was a shock to learn of his sudden death, but explains why I hadn't received responses to my last couple of emails. His cryptic responses to jokes, or politcal comment were always short, and direct but not without humor. He was also my conduit to Jane, who is averse to replying to emails. My deepest condolences to Bing's family, Mrs. Keith-Reid, and Jane. Lolomas friend. Laurayne Thurley Gluck.

Laurayne Thurley Gluck
Foster City, California, USA

Fiji and the Pacific have lost an insightful, courageous, and often hilarious participant-observer. Although most of us knew Mr. Keith-Reid only from his writings and correspondence, my colleagues and I will miss him.

Thomas F. King
International Group of Historic Aircraft Recovery
Maryland, USA

So sad to hear of Robert's passing. Such a generous, thoughtful man with a wry sense of humour. The mould was broken after he was made. My condolences to all who will sorely feel his loss.

Craig Skehan
Downer, Australia

After Robert Keith-Reid was made they threw away the mould, he was a genuine one-of-a-kind person whose contribution journalistically to the Pacific Islands is immesaurable.

Both as a fellow colleague in journalism and then as an information officer for the South Pacific Forum . I grew to respect and admire Roberts unconventional way of getting vital messages across to the greater Pacific Island community.

He could articulate good copy from Lucky Eddies bar at Suva at 1 am as easily as he could from a posh Canberra Hotel during a Forum meeting and was a familiar figure with camera around next at villages and meetings houses from Kiribati to the Cooks.

His style was often very sarcastic or wildly humourous and sometimes very hard hiting, but always came from a heart that had great empathy with aspirations and needs of Pacific Islanders.

He was in his way a kind of living monument to the principals of the Freedom of the press and a champion of basic human rights.

Bureaucrats, corrupt politicians and shady business men all found him a hard person to take on.

Robert heard all the whispers around town, knew the best drinking places and just who had the 'hot guts" on someone else and where "the bodies were buried" also whose fingers were in someone elses'till.

For all that he was a soft touch, he always had change for beggars sitting on the pavement in Suva and would listen to those many thought it was beneath their dignity to listen to.

His methods were hardly text book school of journalism stiff but the South Pacific was and is different and Robert would mix with anyone regardless of race or religion and could cut through false "cultural" barriers to point out we all belong to one race "The human Race" and we all have the same basic needs fears and hopes in life.

Good on you Robert,I am glad I knew!

Ni sa moce

Roy Vaughan
Mangawhai, New Zealand

In all his wierd and wonderful ways, Robert taught me to respect people, and I remember him best as a friend (Traps will never be the same again) and a person of great kindness. Knowing and working with him was such a great privilege. Without a doubt the region has lost an icon. Rest in Peace, my friend, rest in peace.

Jale Moala
Christchurch, New Zealand

Dear Liliana and Kialiki,

I was deeply saddened to learn that you had lost your husband and father, Robert.

I know my words may not be of much comfort, but I am thinking of you both and send you send my heartfelt sympathy.

Robert, through his writing, was an incredible influence on a lot of people. And I consider myself lucky to not only have had the chance to work with him, but to have learnt from him.

With affection and deep sympathy, I pray that God comfort you.

Arthur McCutchan
Brisbane, Australia

Dear Robert,

You didn't like fuss so I'll keep this short.

Thank you for being so generous with your knowledge of the South Pacific region, for generations of "new chums" in journalism - and diplomacy - from Australia, New Zealand and around the world who came knocking on your door asking for advice and guidance about a region you knew like the back of your hand.

Thank you for your kindness as a friend. Thank you for your gin-dry sense of humour - and that wonderful, sardonic look with the arched eyebrow we knew so well.

If there's a great journos' bar in Heaven, they'll be raising a toast to you and your built-in, shock-proof bullshit detector.

Goodbye, dear curmudgeon - may you rest in peace.

Marsali Mackinnon
Brisbane, Australia

I would like to share deep sorrow with IBI and Liliana and Kialiki.

The greatest contribution by him is missing now, but I think what he has done in the past and his spirit will be inhereted to younger generations.

Yoshi Kawai
Fiji

Please convey my most sincere condolences to Laisa and staff at Islands Business on the sudden passing of Robert.

On March 27th, 2006, I flew to Honiara to join the Commonwealth Observer Group for the Solomon Islands general elections.

After settling into the hotel, I phoned our good friend John Lamani to tell him I was in town.

John advised me Robert had a heart attack and was at the Honiara Referral Hospital.

He came to the hotel and picked me up then we drove to the hospital where we saw Robert.

He was in a small room by himself and was as cheerful as ever about his experience.

We both wished him speedy recovery. Robert was then airlifted to Brisbane for treatment.

I only learnt today that he had died.

Robert Keith-Reid is a journalist who is forthright in his thoughts about anything. He speaks his mind and was always prepared to defend his views no matter what.

I remember Robert at the PINA Convention in Apia where he stood up at the AGM and told everyone the meeting was illegal and unconstitutional. Everyone argued against him but no one could tell Robert to change his mind.

What a tragedy. The Pacific has lost a great journalist.

Oseah Philemon, OBE
Editor-in-chief, South Pacific Post
Port Moresby, PAPUA NEW GUINEA

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Very sad to hear about Robert — crusty, idiosyncratic, incisive and plainspoken all added up to one unique individual. He died much too young.

We'll all miss him.

Giff Johnson
Marshall Islands Journal
Majuro, Marshall Islands 96960

Keith-Reid was an old friend from 1970.

While at Fiji Times, he always found time to lunch chinese with me during my rare trips back home.

With then editor of FT/J Kumar, he was a real source of info on goings-on in fiji and in govt. I was lucky to know him and regret at his sudden death. And wish his wife and daughter my heartfelt condolences. Ni Sa Bula!

Dr H.K.Naidu
Ericahof 31, 7581 Vz Losser, The Neherlands

I am saddened by the untimely death of Robert Keith-Reid. I lived in Fiji a short time but I always loved to read what that man had to say. He was hilarious and very insightful as well.
I'm back in Canada now and I was still trying to keep in touch by reading all the Pacific mags.
God bless his family.

Linda Schulz & family
Calgary, AB, Canada

Robert had an amazingly wide coverage of the Pacific and a deep understanding of some of
the inner workings. His writing was perceptive and stimulating.

Please give my sincere condolences to his wife and children. He will be sadly missed by all of us.

Ron Crocombe
Rarotonga
Cook Islands

I have read the sad news of the death of Robert Keith-Reid on PACNEWS.
It must have created quite a vacuum on the Fiji media and social landscape.

A reminder to all of us on how short the life may be.

I join your prayers for Robert Keith-Reid’s mom, wife, daughter, and family
in their time of sorrow.

Tarja Virtanen
ACI/APA
UNESCO
New Delhi, INDIA

I will miss a great friend with Robert's passing. Many of us grew up with his writing and the way he challenged the status quo. Some were lucky enough to share a good yarn and a cold beer with him, over the years. We will miss that too, Robert.

Like many great journalists, Robert could speak with confidence on virtually any topic, and had mastered the art of knowing when to listen. While Robert had a reputation for speaking his mind without fear or favour, we knew his heart was in the islands and this helped to open many doors. He was forever on deadline and was saved only by his incredible work ethic, background knowledge and contacts.

Robert's wicked sense of humour was matched by his relaxed style. He sometimes received invitations where the dress code was formal - and none of his friends were surprised when he turned up yet again in shorts, island shirt and sandals. We loved him for it.

Go well, Robert, and safe journey.

Ulafala Aiavao
Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat
Suva, Fiji

As the President of the Media Association of Solomon Islands I was sudden to hear of the death of Pacific's highly respected journalist, Robert Keith-Reid.

Keith-Reid had work tirelessly since he joined the Fiji times newspaper in the 1970s.

His contributions to the media development in the Pacific region was second to none.

We will miss Keith-Reid. We worked together on many media projects for the Pacific region.

We attended several meetings, workshops and Pacific Islands News Association conventions.

The last PINA Conventions we both attended was in Tonga last year.

In March this year, Keith -Reid flew into Honiara to discuss the proposed 2007 PINA convention in Solomon Islands and several media issues related to media development in Solomon Islands.

It was during his stay in Honiara last March that Keith-Reid suffered a mild heart attack and a week later, he was flown to Brisbane.

Keith-Ried's death would place a gap in the effort to advance media development in the Pacific.

The Pacific Media Family will miss you.

John Lamani
President, MASI (Media Association of the Solomon Islands)
Editor, Solomon Star
Honiara, Solomon Islands

Rowan Callick, a friend of Robert's for 26 years, is today the China correspondent for The Australian newspaper, based in Beijing. He is unable to send a message personally - because the Chinese "net police" prevent access to the IB website from within China, following Robert's lively cover story in April, "Chopstick Diplomacy." Rowan writes that it is a measure of Robert's capacity to irritate the powerful, that even Beijing's authorities have sought to silence him!

Michael Field
Auckland, New Zealand

Dear Robert,

You were always your own man, and remained a true professional to the end. You once told me life in the islands could be stifling and you dreamt of the open wide spaces of the Australian Outback. You were always a traveller, a dreamer.

Your departure leaves our hearts with a feeling of emptiness. We will miss your cynicism, we will miss your wisdom. Who will give us a sense of what is right or wrong, how to read between the lines?

You were trained by the ABC, you worked for Radio Australia for a while. On behalf of my colleagues at Radio Australia, farewell old friend and thank you for sharing part of your journey with us.

Jean-Gabriel Manguy, Radio Australia
Australia

Condolences to you and your team on the passing of Robert. A great loss to the region.

David Vaeafe
Programme Manager
Pacific Cooperation Foundation
Wellington, New Zealand

I first met Robert when I was a young TVNZ reporter in 1983 at the Forum in Rotorua --- he convinced me to convince TVNZ to start covering the Pacific. Through the 80s he was always there to help us; he was courageous, he was fun, he was a true friend. He was a great journalist. I shall miss him.

Richard Harman
Wellington, New Zealand

A sad loss for the media industry in Fiji and the Pacific. Robert was one of the finest.

Arvind Kumar
Auckland, New Zealand

Robert was a good buddy, knew everything that mattered in the region, wrote what was on his mind and could make you laugh harder and longer than just about anyone I know.

Giff Johnson
Marshall Islands Journal
Majuro, Marshall Islands

We all will sorely miss Robert, particularly his Sidetracks column in The Fiji Times, and Fiji will be so much poorer without him. There was no two ways about him - he was an icon in the field of journalism in the South Pacific, particularly Fiji.

Kirit P. Patel
Motibhai Group
Nadi, Fiji

The untimely death of Robert has come as a shock to many of us who knew him. He is a huge loss to the media establishment in Fiji and the Pacific. Many will remember him fondly as a likeable idiosyncratic character. He was a very perceptive and humorous observer of the political scene in Fiji, as an idiosyncratic country. Many enjoyed his columns in the Fiji Times. He usually made it clear that he loved Fiji and would not live anywhere else. Robert was a gold mine of current and old interesting information. I was not in any way a close friend of Robert but I had enjoyed his company sometimes at his favorite bars in Suva, Fiji has lost an outstanding contributor to the development of the modern news media in Fiji.

Jone Dakuvula
Citizens' Constitution Forum,
Suva, Fiji

Just heard that Robert had a heart attack and passed away.

Its a bit of a shock to me as i just found. Please pass on my sympathies to his family and the rest of the crew at IBI.

Nicholas Cornelius
Australia

Robert Keith Reid is an irreplacable icon of Pacific Island journalism. It was easy to be entertained by his witty, sometimes cryptic but always insightful presentation of often very serious issues.

Whether in print or over an official or casual drink, Robert challenged us to openly and critically consider what was really behind the headlines, identify and analyse the sometime shadowy actors and examine the real causes and motivations for current issues both in ROTFI (Republic of the Fiji Islands) and around the broad, colourful and multi-faceted Pacific.

Alan Bartmanovich
Narrabundah, Australia

Both I, and the Honiara community are saddened by the passing of Robert, as reported on local radio this morning.

I see tributes as something to lessen the pain for friends, but more particularly family.

If you see the following brief words as suitable to add to the IB website, for their benefit, please do.

I had met Robert a few times and, like everybody else, found him to be a man of much humour and knowledge.

A few days after his heart attack in Honiara, I went to visit him in hospital where he was waiting to go to Brisbane.

The conversation was just as if we were at the Yacht Club enjoying a quiet Solbrew again.
Where most would be a bit down, perhaps feeling sorry for themselves, Robert was far more interested in what was going on around Honiara. Perhaps he thought he may have missed some interesting snippet of newsworthy info whilst confined to a hospital bed. We swapped stories and I cackled away as this man, who had been through a less than nice experience,
kept me very amused - as usual.

My condolences to Robert's family and workmates.

Steve Goodhew
Honiara, Solomon Islands
Heard about Robert passing away.

This will be a huge loss to the journalism world and IBI.

He's leaving behind very large shoes to fill.

I wanted to pass on my condolences to you and everyone at IBI who worked and knew Robert.

Christine Dhari
Southern Cross Healthcare
Newmarket, Auckland, New Zealand.

Sad to hear about Robert's passing away.

Please pass on our condolences from the Solomon Star to the Islands Business team.

Evan Wasuka
The Solomon Star
Honiara, Solomon Islands

I have just read of the sudden passing of Robert.

Please pass on our sincere condolences and best wishes to his family.

He was an Icon in his field and will be very much missed.

Bryan & Chritine
Formerly of Iririki Island Resort
Port Vila, Vanuatu

Oh my gosh,

I was convinced that Robert was going to make medical history by discovering Fiji Bitter as a source of eternal life.

Seriously though, even though he made me want to resign on a couple of occasions with some especially dimwitted We Says - published more for shock effect than anything else I think - RKR set the benchmark when it came to being a persistent pain the in the ass for the powers that be, coups or no coups. Including those in the media itself, as those of who witnessed his standout Vailima-fuelled performance at PINA 2003 will remember with grudging fondness.

And the fact that Islands Business remains as a voice for the region - a single, solitary voice at least when it comes to print in the South Pacific - where much bigger, better funded media operations didn't have the heart (or the guts) to keep going speaks for itself. As does the fact that IBI was not giving lip service when it wrote about putting (indigenous) women into management.

RKR walked the talk, even if that walk was a bit wobbly sometimes. His passing reminds us what a fragile beast the media remains in our region - and what costs it extracts from those of us who defend and promote it with passion every day.

Aere maru Robati,

Jason Brown
Journalist
Rarotonga, Cook Islands

It’s with shock that I learnt this morning from Laisa Taga, of the passing of IB journalist Robert Keith-Reid on the weekend, in Brisbane. Robert was one of those tireless media workers whose crusade for great journalism manifested itself through his work. Love him or hate him, you simply could not ignore him.

His experience in the region and love for this part of the world ran deep beneath a razor sharp wit and brilliant mind. I can’t imagine PINA without him; I can’t imagine IB without him, and certainly his fearless, insightful and bold style of reportage leaves huge footsteps to fill.

I can already picture him kicking up a storm where ever he is; seeking out a.) the story and b.) the bar!....and then most likely turning around to say, ‘well f**&\^% lisa – I don’t care how f::K*&%ing much you think you will miss me – it’s all very nice, and a wonderful excuse to have a piss up, but can you just bloody get on with it!’

So here’s a note into the ether for you Robert KR, a note of love and loss, gratitude and admiration – and a kava shell raised in your name tonight.

Te atua te aroa,

Lisa Williams
South Pacific Commission (SPC) Women's Bureau
Noumea, New Caledonia

I am saddended by the sudden passing of Robert. My condolences goes to his wife Lilliana and daughter Kialiki and family members.

I and Robert worked for the Fiji Times between 1971-77. he was a nice person and excellent journalist. Very kind and helpful. Robert will be missed by all of us.

Sabita Gandhi
University of the South Pacific Library
Suva, Fiji

On behalf of PIMA, I would like to extend sincere condolences to Robert's Family and the staff of Islands Business. I only met Robert a handful of times over the years but he was always a pleasure to deal with. I'll certainly miss his wit and his take on the Pacific.

John Utanga
PIMA (Pacific Islands Media Association)
Auckland, New Zealand

It is with great sadness that I heard about the death of Robert. I was introduced to him by Rowan Callick in Port Moresby in 1989 and over the years have enjoyed a few beers in his company and enjoyed his wit, his sarcasm. He is a true media icon in the Pacific and he will be sorely missed.

Marc Neil Jones
Publisher, Vanuatu Daily Post,
Port Vila, Vanuatu

On behalf of both Airbus and my company, AAMC, please accept our very sincere condolences at the loss of your colleague and friend, Robert. I have just read the obituary in today's The Australian and it has left me very saddened indeed. My colleague David Velupillai from Toulouse and I always enjoyed our visits to Fiji because we knew when the serious stuff was done there would always be an opportunity for some quality social time with Robert - indeed, it was on one of these occasions that we met you at the Fiji Club. He was a great host and a fine journalist.

Please convey our condolences to Liliana and Kialiki.

Sincere regards,

Ted Porter
Aviation-Aerospace Media, PR Consultants to Airbus
Sydney, Australia

Robert made an immense contribution to journalism in Fiji with his satire. It’s truly sad that this voice has now been silenced.

My sincere condolences to Robert’s family and Islands Business staff.

Shailendra Singh
Coordinator, Journalism Programme
School of Language, Arts & Media, University of the South Pacific
Suva, Fiji

Sincere condolences from the iSite team re Mr Keith-Reid's passing. After reading the material on IB, I see he was a passionate and inspired journalist and he had a tremendous impact upon the course of South Pacific journalism over the past few decades. He was obviously was well-respected and well-liked and will be dearly missed. His integral role in establishing Islands Business is especially pertinent to us and we extend our sorrow and support to those close to him in this sad time.

Kate, Chris, Wim and the iSite team
Auckland, New Zealand

As a dear friend and colleague of many years you must really be missing him! But I know that you will carry on his legacy; the high quality, highly respected publication that is Islands Business Magazine.

I'm so glad I had the opportunity of meeting him at PINA last year.

Sally R. Shute-Trembath
External Relations Officer
Pacific Liaison and Coordination Office in Sydney, Australia
Asian Development Bank

I was very saddened to hear the news about Robert.

I never met him in person but I delighted in his obvious penchant for puncturing pretense and pretenders alike.

Please accept our condolences from the International Waters Project team.

Steve Menzies
SPREP
Apia, Samoa

My goodness....can't believe Robert is gone. My condolence to the all the team and Robert's family. Was he sick for long? Was it a sudden heartattack? this is truly a tragic loss.”

Patrick Pikacha
Journalist
Honiara, Solomon Islands

I met Robert Keith Reid (RKR) every Sunday. While waiting for him this Sunday 14/05 I was shocked to read (ST 14/05) that he had passed away. Our meeting was always an interesting one because he was always doing the talking. I used to laugh out loud at his wit, and his sometimes dry humour.

One time I called him on the telephone just to say hello. He seemed happy to hear from me. But now he is gone, I will miss out Sunday meetings.

Each Sunday I would look forward o our meeting but sadly sometimes he would not come and I would be sidetracked. He used to tell me things that was going on his life like when he used to be propped up at bar in Suva.

Sometimes I could not understand him and would mutter under my breath, "This man is rambling' and wondered if it was to do with all the propping up in that bar.

But I loved the way he would talk about one thing and mean something else - especially when it was about our beloved politicians. He will be sorely missed by those who loved him especially those he used to talk about.

I knew RKR when I was very little and loved him dearly - even when I was baffled by some of his utterings. But I matured and found a way to decipher his sometimes complex words.

Farewell old friend, may your soul rest in peace and boy I only wish I had met you in person.

Allen Lockington
Lautoka, Fiji

Robert's death is more than the loss of a great Pacific journalist - it is the end of an era.

When I was a young journalist in Fiji in the early 1980s, Robert was always someone who could be relied upon to stir up a press conference - it almost went without saying that he ask the first question.

Later when I worked at Pacific Islands Monthly he and I crossed paths regularly in the Pacific and despite working for rival publications he and I always found time to share a mutual passion - a cold beer.

In recent years it has always been a highlight of any trip back to Fiji to catch up with Robert for a cold one at whatever bar we bumped into each other.

That is how I will always remember him - sipping a cold beer on a warm evening and talking passionately about whatever subject was at hand.

He will leave a huge gap in Fiji and Pacific journalism - one which will be difficult to fill.
My condolences to all his family.

Martin Tiffany
Deputy Chief Reporter, Waikato Times
Hamilton, NZ

PINA and the Pacific Island Media community will miss the skills, the straightforward comment and the standards Robert established over many years of contribution to our industry.

Rest in Peace old friend.

Ken Clark
President, PINA
Suva, Fiji

Over the past three years I have been fortunate enough to develop a friendship with Robert, and was interviewed several times by him for Islands Business and The South Pacific Tourism Magazine. It took me a while to figure out that the outward impression Robert gave of himself was more of a caricature he had developed for his own amusement rather than an indication of his real nature. Underneath the facade was a profoundly intelligent and sensitive man with an almost photographic memory and ability to understand deeply complex situations. I learned to respect him and value his opinion and he, will, indeed be sadly missed. I do not think the South Pacific will see another RKR. With fondest memories...

Peter Dawkins
South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO)
Suva, Fiji

The Pacific Islands has lost a true friend, one who would not hesitate to criticize its failings (of which there were many), but who always had the region's best interests at heart. Robert's at times gruff exterior barely hid his passion and love for the Pacific and its people. And the older he became, the more than love (he would have hated that I use that word to describe him) became evident.

I've had the pleasure and honor of knowing Robert for 30 years. He's been a friend, a confidant and at times a competitor. At all times, despite the often mumbled rants while bellied up to a bar in Suva (or Apia, or Honolulu, or Vila, or ...), he was a true gentleman whose in-depth knowledge of the region and its leaders (and their foibles) never ceased to amaze or amuse.

With Robert's untimely death, we have lost one of Pacific journalism's true leaders, a journalist whose career spanned the colonial era and independence, whose understanding of the region was grounded in experience and reality and in his core of optimism that things could be better.

Floyd K. Takeuchi
Publisher, Pacific Magazine
Honolulu, Hawaii

On behalf of our Executive Members and Council of the NZ Pacific Business Council, we wish to express our sympathy and condolences to the family of Robert Keith-Reid.

Gilbert W Ullrich
Chairman, NZ Pacific Business Council
Auckland, New Zealand

Please accept my sincere condolences on the passing away of Robert and also extend my sympathies to his family.

He will certainly be missed by many who have gotten to know him through his writing and those who were privileged, like myself, to have had numerous conversations with him over the years.

Sharon Bhagwan Rolls
Coordinator - femLINKPACIFIC: Media Initiatives for Women
Suva, Fiji

Sad to hear about Robert Keith Reid. I always ejoyed his company because he loved stirring and what you saw is what you got! May he rest in peace!

Chris Cocker,
Trade Commissioner, Pacific Islands Trade and Investment Commission,
Auckland, New Zealand

The Kiribati Islands Media Association is saddened by the sudden loss of Mr. Robert Keith Reid, the Pacific's finest and leading journalist.

Members of KIMA in Kiribati especially those who have had a chance to work alongside Mr. Reid at regional meetings and events express their sympathy and condolences to Mrs. Reid and her daughter.

Mr. Reid as an insightful journalist is also a role model for the media in the Pacific and his sudden passing is dearly missed by all.

Peace, Health and Prosperity upon Mrs Reid and her daughter and God rest Mr. Reid's soul.

Roz Terubea
President KIMA
Tarawa, Kiribati

Robert and I both worked for The Fiji Times in the 60s and 70s. He left around 1976 to found Islands Business while I continued as editor of The Times until 1991. We remained good friends although our contacts ceased after I moved to Australia. Robert was a brilliant journalist and a gifted writer who had a passion for both his work and the language.

He had two qualities that separated him from most ordinary journalists: a great sense of humour and a healthy dose of cynicism that inured him from taking anything at face value. I am both saddened and shocked by his sudden passing away at such and early age, all the more so that he died here in Brisbane and I was not even aware that he was fighting his last battle in my city. His passing is a great loss to the journalistic fraternity in Fiji. My sympathies go to his wife and daughter.

Vijendra Kumar
Queensland, Australia

It sad to hear the death of Mr Keith-Reid. Every time I buy your magazine I open it up to read Keith-Reid's article first before continue on.

My best wishes to all the staff members and his wife and daughter.

Vinaka

Tui Foukimoana
Redmond, Washington State, USA

Whenever something important was happening in the Pacific I always looked for Robert's take on it. He was simply the best interpreter of current events in the Pacific that I knew.

But he was more than that. His John Cleese-style rages at what he saw as foolishness or dishonesty disguised a great love for the peoples of the Pacific and a desire to stand alongside them in their battles against political ineptitude and corruption.

We met as rival political journalists many years ago in Suva and soon became friends. He generously made his home available to me on trips to Suva and we always sought one another out at PINA conferences.

The last time we talked it was earlier this year. It was of retirement. He was weary and in need of a good break. Robert had been told he had to cut back on his beloved drinking and was suffering from heart, high blood pressure and diabetes problems.

He believed he couldn't afford to retire but I suspect he really couldn't imagine life beyond journalism.

I have lost a good and valued friend. My thoughts go out to his family. They have lost a father but so too has Pacific journalism.

Bill Southworth
former Fiji Sun Editor; Executive Director of the NZ Journalists Training Organisation
New Zealand

I have just read an on line story about the passing of Robert Keith Reid. It came as a big shock to me as I had not known he had suffered a heart attack last month.

I haven‚t seen Robert in years but have kept up with his writings in Islands Business. His editorials and stories are must reads for me. His words just jump off the pages and he had the knack of turning difficult and complex subjects into easy to read and understand stories. His features were always a delightful read.

He was an outstanding journalist and his writings reflected his passion for the trade. I‚d say that one of Robert‚s legacies is the high standard of journalism he has set for Islands Business. A trademark that has made the magazine and any piece of writing that carries RKR‚s by line, respected and authoritative

Outside of work. Robert was a colorful character and those of us fortunate to have known him will no doubt have a tale to cherish about an outing with our dear friend.

Thoughts and prayers are with his wife and daughter and the staff of Islands Business.

The Pacific will miss you Robert. Cheers.

Monica Miller
former president PINA,
American Samoa

The Media Association blong Vanuatu (MAV) is saddened to learn of the sudden passing of one of the Pacific's icons in media, Mr. Robert Keith Reid.

Robert has been a father and a role model for media in the Pacific region. His journalism career life has been part of the foundation for many "media experts and professionals" in the region today. He will be hugely missed in the next PINA Convention in Honiara (2007) as well as at South Pacific Forum and other regional meetings and events.

To Mrs. Reid, thank you for all your support in making Robert who he was and will always be among the members of the Pacific Media Family. Our hearts are with you. Robert's passing is a great loss to all of us. But we are thankful for his contributions and the impact his works have had in our lives, that will live on. That is how he will be remembered.

Moses Stevens
President, Media Association blong Vanuatu
Port Vila, Vanuatu

It is indeed a very sad day. I have always looked forward to reading Robert's columns both in the Islands Business Magazine and also in the Fiji Times. His frank, no holds barred, tongue-in-cheek writing was very refreshing. The fact that he could pull it off everytime with hardly any backlash showed his stature in the region as also the accuracy in what he wrote. My heartfelt condolences to his family and all his colleagues at Islands Business. May his soul rest in peace and long live Robert's style of writing.

Ram Bajekal
Chennai, India

I was quite shocked to hear about Robert's passing away.

IBI or even Fiji media will never be the same without his 'Rotfians'.

Our sincerest and deepest condolences to IBI and Robert's family.

Rowena Singh,
Auckland, New Zealand

Dear Mrs Keith Reid

On behalf of myself and my family, I send you our sympathies for the loss of your dearest husband and father. I have known Robert for many years since becoming a journalist for more than 20 years. Robert was one of the most hard working journalists I ever knew in the region.How he could be up all night with his colleagues chatting over a beer but still turn out a well written story the next day is beyond me. As a journalist, he was never afraid to write about the truth. I admired him for that. He was a great writer, who knew the Pacific more than most of the Pacific Islander journos.

As a former President of PINA, I respected Robert for the strong stance he took in protecting press freedom in the region.

Every time I met Robert any where in the Pacific he would always ask:"How is Honiara." I believed he loved Honiara and the rest of Solomon Islands but never told any body about it. I did not have the time to say goodbye to Robert when he left Honiara after having that mild heart attack because I also lost my beloved son at the same time.

So long RKR, we will miss you in Honiara next year for the PINA Convention but your legacy will live forever.

Johnson Honimae
Honiara, Solomon Islands

Robert Keith-Reid was probably one of the last of his kind: a colourful, controversial, outspoken, irreverent, impertinent member of the media profession who, for decades, had made the Pacific region his home.

By choice, not by default.

To some, he also epitomised the cliché of a British journalist sipping his cordial at the end of yet another beautiful day in Paradise, to remain in the cliché.

Yet, he wrote about everything but clichés.

He wrote about the daily lives of Pacific islanders, he very often also wrote his mind and opinions, even if they did not please some.

I believe he truly had the Pacific at heart. It is so ironic that this very heart let him down.

I will certainly miss his character, a blend of disenchantment, humour and true concern for the region he chose to line in so many years ago.

In a world under the process of formatting and globalisation, people like Robert, who did not fit in any box or drawer, who did not submit to the political correctness, were a refreshing asset.

Now gone, I'm afraid.

Patrick Antoine DECLOITRE,
Editor, Flash d'Océanie / Oceania Flash
Suva, Fiji

Read the media's tributes to Robert