Robert: a bridge between two worlds
It is the most thankless task a journalist has to perform: announcing someone’s death. But it is even more painful when it concerns a colleague. How would Robert have handled it? With his typically British composure, his way of viewing the world with nothing but kindness, his slightly wry smile… I’m sure he would have taken the necessary step back to find the right words. But as for us, we’re at a loss for words…
Robert Luckock was the Daily Herald’s correspondent for the French part of Saint Martin. He thus acted as a sort of journalistic bridge between the two parts of the island… and between the two languages. Every time we met, learning French was a topic of conversation! But last month, he’d discovered this fabulous new app that translated French directly into English, even though he hadn’t quite got the hang of it yet! Another topic of discussion: the joys of new technology! There was no shortage of topics. He devoted a good part of his life to reporting on all the latest news from the territory. Today, sadly, he is the one making the news.
But I think that, up there on his cloud, still smiling as ever, he must nevertheless be a little surprised by the praise pouring in from all sides. With all the modesty we knew him for, he’d say he didn’t deserve it. Yet it is all the more justified, given how widely recognised he was for his professionalism, his kindness and all those qualities that made him one of the island’s most respected journalists.
It’s not easy to say goodbye to someone we’ve known so well over the months and years… We’re even dreading the next press conference: he won’t be there. And we’re going to miss him.
But the discreet man that he was has, once again, done things right by slipping away on Sunday 3 August, shortly before midnight… The news is quiet, press conferences are few and far between… As if he’d sensed that we’d need a little breathing space to take in the news of his passing. Time will pass, but we’ll continue to miss you, Robert!
The editorial team at 97150 extends its deepest condolences to his loved ones and his colleagues at the Daily Herald.
