My first real impression of Robert Whiddon was of his voice.

He had come to interview with me for the position of EBA's Managing Editor. Robert talked fast. And a lot. He hadn't had a great deal of experience writing for magazines, but he had a willingness to work and learn that I believed could only be a boon to EBA's development.

Our partnership was much more than writing stories and laying out the magazine. Robert kept me on my toes with a steady stream of ideas - some wonderful, some insane - that he felt would guarantee the success of the magazine. I did my best to ground him when his flights of fancy threatened to send him soaring into the ether. Although he would settle down, he never stopped talking.

We argued and laughed and generally tried to stimulate each other into doing our best work. Behind the incessant banter and debate was a core of mutual respect - mine for his passion and enthusiasm, Robert's for my experience and my willingness to let him be himself. That respect formed the basis for one of the best working relationships I've ever experienced.

It has been more than three years since I left SourceMedia and Employee Benefit Adviser. I rarely saw Robert during that time. But I still can't bring myself to imagine a world without his kind of kinetic energy. I can't believe I have to try.

Karen Lee, former Editor-in-Chief
Employee Benefit Adviser

Not only was Robert my friend and editor, he was someone I truly admired for his spirit. No one was as opinionated as Robert; no one was as fearless as Robert; no one was as outrageously funny as Robert.

During the two years I spent working closely with him on Employee Benefit Adviser, Robert was a mentor who helped me become a better writer and reporter. But the biggest gift Robert gave me was responsibility. His trust allowed me to develop confidence, and I cannot think of a kinder gesture from a colleague.

Robert and I clocked many hours together (some more productive than others) as we became good friends. The best advice I received from Robert was, "Shooter shoots." I had never heard this term before, but when I would make a bad joke, Robert would laugh and say, "Shooter shoots, Molls." The idea is that you should keep taking shots until you find your rhythm again and start putting points on the board. Persevering with a smile on your face is just a good way to live your life.

The more I think about Robert's life, it seems only natural that such an intense concentration of personality would burn up, spectacular and bright, rather than fizzle away. Even though it seems Robert's time was cut short, I think he did, in fact, live his life all the way up, and that is because of the intensity with which he lived.

Molly Bernhart, former Managing Editor
Employee Benefit Adviser

It was well known around the EBN/EBA offices that when Robert challenged you - questioned your way of doing something or pushed you to do better - it was his way of showing you that he cared. In that case, Robert cared about me an awful lot. We had some infamous "discussions" over the years about the direction in which to take our magazines - some of them so confrontational that at first glance, you might never know that we were truly close colleagues and friends. But although we rarely started out on the same page, Robert and I always were on the same side. As much as he challenged me, he encouraged me. If I was at the end of my rope, he was there to pull me up again.

He frequently would tell me, "Iron sharpens iron." It was never truer in our case. Our constant loop of feedback and pushback helped us to take our two publications farther than we could have thought possible. For my part, I am undoubtedly a smarter, wiser, more accomplished and just an overall better professional and person for having known him.

In the few weeks since his death, I've lost count of the number of times I've walked the 10 or so feet between our two offices to get his take on something, only to find him gone and have to grieve anew.

Then, I remind myself of his simple mantra, "Don't plateau," and resolve once more to think beyond my borders and work without boundaries.

I'd advise all of you who knew and loved Robert to do the same. I believe it's the best way to keep climbing higher and to take him along with us.

Kelley M. Butler, Editor-in-Chief,
Employee Benefit News

You never knew what was going to come out of Robert's mouth, but you could always count on the discussion being framed in a series of questions: Why not? Why couldn't we? Why wouldn't we? Why shouldn't we?

You were never sure how far he'd be willing to ride an idea until he either finally said, "Ah, I guess that wouldn't work," or you found yourself marching alongside him down a path that would undoubtedly produce some piece of provocative journalism. He never took things at face value. Rarely took no for an answer. Never seemed to give up.

I'll miss that.

But for all the creative thought and energy he devoted to his profession, he was always able to find time to care about his friends and colleagues. I can't think of one person we knew in common for whom Robert did not at some point do something, say something or arrange something that had that person's well-being in mind. I'm grateful to be able to include myself on that list. His passion for his work may even have been surpassed by his caring, concern and compassion for others.

I may miss that most of all.

George Lane, Principal
Mercer Consulting

"If you want me to eat bugs, then I'll eat bugs," Robert wrote in a November 2007 Editor's note. Robert was portraying how advisers sometimes overreact to clients demands for expanded services. This was "classic Robert" because he always found a unique and fresh way to communicate with audiences.

But it was not just in his writing that he found ways to turn the ordinary into extraordinary.

Over the course of the past several years, I've been in a variety of settings including dinner meetings, conferences and phone interviews where Robert would push me to think of issues impacting the business world from many points of view - not just from my particular frame of reference.

A conversation with Robert was something to be cherished, albeit mentally exhausting most of the time.His critical thinking and writing skills helped all of us who knew him become better professionals and people.

That was Robert's unique gift.His legacy will be lived out in all of us as we push ourselves and our industry to come up with new and fresh thinking for the complex business challenges we face.

Personally, I will miss Robert's unique style of communication, his disarming smile and dinners where we solved the world's problems while dining on kimchi and sushi.

Kay R. Curling, SPHR, Director of Human Resources
Serco Inc.

I knew Robert for quite a while, though we only met in person about two months ago in D.C. In all of our conversations, I found him knowledgeable, interested, pointed and reductionist - although none of that is out-of-the-ordinary for a reporter or an editor. What was remarkable about Robert was his ability to rapidly quantify the essence of the person and the "fit" in the situation. In each conversation, I learned as much or more than I gave; I shared visions of improvement with a willing listener; I was inspired to reach higher and move more and dream larger, because he believed I could. That is what made Robert remarkable. He dove for the essence and then extracted it, posting vision into reality. He believed it; he made me believe it. That is a true gift.

Cyndy Nayer, President
Center for Health Value Innovation

Working on EBA was fun, and that is rare in today's "rat-race" world. Robert's combination of humor, wit and "neighborhood Joe" charm made it enjoyable to work with him.We got to know Robert outside of work at trade shows over dinner, beers and playing basketball.We also bonded in trying to make EBA stronger each year.We could not have asked for a better partner to work with than Robert - tons of ideas, tons of passion. He was simply the best.

When you work at a company for 15 years, the things that you remember are the people you come in contact with. The other stuff - market share, sales numbers, sales awards - falls away, seems trivial and is easily forgotten.You remember people like Robert.

James McLaughlin, National Advertising Director
Employee Benefit Adviser

Robert and I talked monthly for more than six months while he was reporting on the article he wrote about my wellness challenge.While we did much talking on the record, we spent a great deal of time having real-life conversations about how important wellness was to each and every one of us.

As a writer, Robert was a true professional. In addition to the wellness article, he frequently tapped me for quotes or ideas, and I could always count on Robert to be fair and accurate in his writing.Robert's passing will befelt by many and he will be missed.

Thomas Mangan
President, Employee Benefits Division
HUB International

Robert was more than a boss. He was a true friend I was lucky enough to work with every day.

He was an outstanding editor who started each day asking, "How can we help our audience?" And he genuinely meant it - he had a list of questions from the broker perspective taped to his computer monitor ("What should I be selling?" "What can I do to run my business better?") to ensure he was always acting as a voice and advocate for the industry.

Robert's joie de vivre was contagious and the overwhelming void we in the EBA/EBN family feel in his absence only serves to emphasize the impact of his professional and personal contribution to the office.

As a journalist, I will take with me Robert's unabashed enthusiasm for exploring even the most out-there ideas in the name of bringing the best coverage to the audience I serve. As a human being, I will take his ability to care, encourage and continually seek the best from within.

Elizabeth Galentine
Associate Editor, Employee Benefit Adviser

Robert, we hardly knew ye...

We knew you as a gentle man and a gentleman. Your intellectual curiosity seemingly knew no bounds. You always wanted to know more, not just to advance your own knowledge but so that you could share information with your legions of readers. And your love of literature and literary references was ever present. With you, there was no pretense; just a need to inspire others to be their best. And routinely, you brought the best out in all of us.

Four years went by so quickly, and it wasn't enough time to get to know more about you, your family, or your personal goals in the industry. I needed more time to learn more about you and from you. I'm older than you by a couple of decades, but that did not preclude you from imparting knowledge beyond your years. It isn't fair that we lost such a wonderful person whose life had yet to be completely fulfilled in so many ways. Even in your passing, you have communicated with us the need to live life to its fullest as it is precious and too short.

I came to admire and respect you, and considered you a friend. Learning of your passing was a devastating and profound shock. I know that your family, friends and colleagues will miss you. I know that I will. I cannot make any sense out of this, and my faith is sorely challenged at moments like these. But, I want you and your readers to know that you will not be forgotten.

Robert, we hardly knew ye... Eternal peace, my friend.

Jack Kwicien, Managing Partner
Daymark Advisors