Arthur Spiegelman

Like all of you, I am deeply upset at the death of Arthur Spiegelman. He was a terrific reporter and writer, but, far more important, he was a wonderful human being, as nice as they come. I feel lucky to have known and worked with him, to have become his friend and to have enjoyed his warmth and his great sense of humor.

My good friend Jerry Kearney and I used to delight in kidding Arthur about his work ethic, which was remarkable, and encouraged him, good-naturedly, to lighten up and not to put everything he had into every story he handled. Of course, those words fell on deaf ears, since Arthur, as you all know, gave every story he did everything he had, and that was a lot. Indeed, I've never seen any one else in the news business put as much into his work as Arthur did. And I'm sure he gave Reuters more than it ever gave him back in return.

I last talked to Arthur about two years ago. It was our first conversation in years. I had heard he was ill and called him, and I'm so glad that I did. Art was one of a kind - great family man, wonderful colleague and friend and one of the best in the field of work he loved. Like all of you, I shall miss him but am grateful to have known this terrific guy and most certainly will never forget him. ■