When I edited Robert in the early 1980s, he was the only journalist I knew who combed the Federal Register for scoops. His copy was immaculate. He defined diligence and care. His understanding of our convoluted health care system was unmatched. And he was a perfect gentleman.
Robert Pear, truly one of the most decent and kind human beings on the planet and the greatest health care writer of his time, passed last night after a horrific stroke. We at the @nytimes are bereft.
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To the end, he was still combing through the Federal Register and also the dockets of district and appellate courts around the country. I marveled at scoops he'd bring me from some court decision weeks before that no one else had noticed. But he was never above an open hearing.
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Just one example of Robert's extraordinary kindness came when Congress passed a Medicare drug law in 2003. The gang of health reporters spent so much time together waiting in hallways for news that National Journal made a rock tour-like Tshirt with the dates of various rooms.
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Robert wasn’t sure I got one, so he looked up my office address and mailed one to me. I was touched that someone with so many responsibilities would take the time to think of a younger colleague and send that along. Just one of so many kindnesses to so many people over the yrs.
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I was heartbroken to hear of the stroke. This morning, I am thinking of all the ways that Robert demonstrated that you can be kind even as you beat the competition and ask the questions no one else considered.
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RIP an awesome and idiosyncratic reporter. No one else used a fat spiral notebook like him, asked the detailed policy questions he did, got the responses he did, wrote the stories he did. Huge loss to journalism.
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Jonathan, thank you for describing Robert as you did. He was a treasure.
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He loved Iowa. My prized possession is a little, smiling stuffed ear of corn he gave me from an Iowa trip.
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This is horrific. Deepest condolences
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So sorry to learn this. He was a truly great reporter and person.
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This is heartbreaking. He was decent and kind, indeed. A story with a Pear byline was always a must-read. My thoughts go out to Robert’s family and friends and his colleagues at
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One of the great reporters of our time, and a very good guy. Rest in Peace.
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Oh goodness, this is sad. He was the best of the best and (as a 30-year PR person) I thoroughly enjoyed working with him. Sending you all love and hugs. It's so hard to lose a beloved colleague.
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I’m so sorry to hear this. He always took the time to be a nice person even when working on a tough story.
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That’s heartbreaking. He was a wonderful reporter and a very respected and collegial presence on Capitol Hill. His coverage of the initial passage of Obamacare was particularly memorable.
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I remember him fondly and am so sorry for your loss.
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So sorry to hear this
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