Tribute to Rob Hiaasen

Rob Hiaasen, 59, assistant editor and Sunday columnist at the Capital Gazette, was remembered by his wife as “a giant, not just in stature but in character”.

Rob was shot to death during the attack on the Gazette. Multiple family members have released statements lamenting his death and commemorating his legacy.

Rob started writing for the Gazette in 2010, and spent 8 years mentoring younger reporters and writing humorous stories that tugged at the heartstrings of his readers.

Carl Hiaasen, Rob’s brother, writes for the Miami Herald, and he had this to say about his brother’s death: “I am devastated and heartsick to confirm the loss of my wonderful brother Rob today in the mass shooting in the newsroom at the Annapolis Capital Gazette…he spent his whole gifted career as a journalist, and he believed profoundly in the craft and mission of serving the public’s right to know the news.”