This is how I remember Robert D. Reid, sitting in his book-stuffed office with that smile. Bob’s smile showed a kind man, but one who would not be led on in any way. He had experience with scumbags. Bob covered politics in Illinois. He was a leader among what is now known as the College of Media at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign. Bob balanced core newsman toughness with genuine care for his students. Nurturing. Demanding. Willing to stand up for the people he believed in. I was fortunate to attend his classes, and talk with him in his office dozens of times before he passed away in 2004 at age 64. He was the main reason I attended graduate school at U of I, and a big factor in my career today. I can still hear his “keep pressing on” advice, and his persistent view that a vibrant media was key to a free society. He also gave me the single most encouraging piece of advice I ever heard. I was only writing music articles and features at the time, a self-inflicted single focus. “At some point I hope you grow out of it,” he said. “But something tells me if we leave you to your devices, you’ll come up with something great.” Thank you for everything, Bob. University of Illinois