This isn’t my regular blog post but I’m reflecting the sad news that my former news editor has died.
Bob Kane who died in hospital after illness was one of the news editors on the Express & Star and often would look after the Sandwell edition of the paper where I worked from 1998 to 2005.
It’s fair to say that in the harsh Victorian hierarchy of newspapers of my day you had to learn fast.
When Bob as a news editor had an issue with your story you knew about it. He was dry, direct and to the point. When Bob told you, you stayed told. But if you listened you learned. I was a far better reporter for paying attention to Bob.
I remember my first weekend of calls duty as a nervous Express & Star reporter. My colleague Paul briefed me through the process.
“On Sunday at 8am Dan, buy a copy of the Sunday Mercury and check through for stories from our patch. Phone them through to Bob and first congratulate him on another easy win for Glasgow Rangers but do check the score first.”
He took news and Glasgow Rangers very seriously. The neighbouring Walsall office once joked that a Turkish kebab house were staging a street party because Galatasaray had put the Scottish giants out of the Champions League. Bob did not see the funny side.
New British Army recruits when they go through basic training are put through their paces by a Corporal. At first, they live in fear and crave his approval. Bob didn’t really hand out much praise but a Christmas card from him one year read: ‘Dan, your enthusiasm is inspiring to a tired old hack like myself’ was like a pools win.
That’s the thing with Bob. He was excellent at his job and if you listened to him you’d get better at yours.
Years later, at Sandwell Express & Star reunions Bob would come. He was a reserved man but with warmth and a sharp wit. It was clear he loved his family.
His LinkedIn profile shows he went to school in Stirling in Scotland and after graduation from the University of Aberdeen we worked as a reporter on the Birmingham Evening Mail and Worcester Evening News. He joined the Express & Star in 1980 and retired in 2017.
He was held in really high regard by people who worked with him. I hope his family and friends know this. My condolences to them.
He’d moved to Worcestershire and I’d meant to suggest going to watch some cricket at New Road. I wish I had now.
Pic: Facebook.
Bob was a pro’s pro. Clever, dry, honest, loyal. Anyone who didn’t learn from him was in the wrong business.
A worthy Tribute Dan and one that rings true to my experience as a newbie on the Cannock and Stafford editions. I feared Bob. But grew to love him. Best wishes to his family.