Boundless energy (*fueled by coffee and a deep sense of mission)
Exposing injustice
Lifting others, especially young journalists
Always up for a hike
Infectious laughter
Proud dad
Soccer superfan
Friend
These are some of the things that come to mind about Richard Kipling, a boss, editor, and mentor I’ll never know the likes of again. I met RK when I was still in college, seeking internships. Richard, then a recruiter for the LA Times, was so encouraging, even in rejection letters! I finally got the chance to work for him in 2010 at the CHCF Center for Health Reporting, an experience that gave me the best job of my life, the best work of my career, and the best boss. Richard inspired with compassion and humanity, sought stories with passion (he joined me and many colleagues out in the field for reporting), edited with a discerning eye and pen, and so importantly, put his trust in me. (You’d be surprised how infrequently this happens in journalism.) There wouldn’t have been an “Ask Emily” column without him, nor many of the change-making projects we produced. I’m so lucky I got to see him last year for a birthday celebration in SoCal. Richard died suddenly this week, and I will miss him dearly.
My deepest condolences to Kalin Kipling-Mojaddedi, Alison, and the rest of his family.
(I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the other truly amazing editors I worked with at the center: David Westphal, Roger Smith, and the late, great Michael Parks.)
Emily Bazar
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