The Express Tribune's Robin Philip Fernandez passes away

Editor Opinion and Editorial Desk, Robin is survived by wife and three children

Robin Phillip Fernandez, Editor Opinion and Editorial, at The Express Tribune, passed away on Tuesday. He was 51.

Robin is survived by wife Marina Fernandez and three children –Merrick, 12, Ronan, 9, and Russell, 6. He survived a stroke a few months ago and was on the road recovery. However, he suffered another stroke on Tuesday and was rushed to hospital where he passed away. He demise has shocked and saddened his colleagues at The Express Tribune.

Robin graduated from St Patrick’s in Karachi in 1985. He went on to pursue a BA (honours) in Mass Communication from the University of Karachi in 1990. Throughout his career, Robin served in senior editorial roles in top media organizations of the country. He was part of the launch team of The News International in 1991.

He also served as senior correspondent for Union of Catholic Asian, or UCA, News for three years before switching to Daily Dawn in 2005 as senior subeditor. A year later he joined The Herald magazine as News Editor. In 2009, he joined another English-language daily, Business Day, as News Editor.

He didn’t stay there for long and quit the organisation to join The Express Tribune as Editorial Coordinator on the National Desk. He was promoted first as Foreign Editor in 2012 and then as Editor Opinion and Editorial in 2017. During his long association with The Express Tribune, Robin mentored an entire new generation of Subeditors and Reporters. Known for his soft-spoken nature and humble demeanor, Robin had a superior news sense, impressive editorial depth and vast knowledge of international and national affairs.

“Robin Fernandez’s sudden demise this morning is a shock for us all at @etribune. A thorough professional, Robin performed his duty as Op-ed Editor with impressive editorial depth. Softspoken and polite, he will be tremendously missed by all. Deepest condolences to his family,” said The Express Tribune‘s Executive Editor Fahd Hussain.

Robin Fernandez's sudden demise this morning is a shock for us all at @etribune. A thorough professional, Robin performed his duty as Op-ed Editor with impressive editorial depth. Soft spoken and polite, he will be tremendously missed by all. Deepest condolences to his family https://t.co/Xrk3z4m2ib

— Fahd Husain (@Fahdhusain) November 13, 2018

“Everyone who worked with or under Robin will remember him as a great teacher. He was meticulous in his work and kind to all his colleagues,” remembers News Editor and anchorperson Vaqas Asghar.

Former staffer Rizwan Shehzad reminisced about learning from Robin. “Every day he would teach me something while proof-reading pages and my stories.”

“He would say use the right word at the right place and we are done. Robin would remind that ‘there is many a slip between the cup and the lip’. I will cherish the occasional discussions with him.” “My mentor. In the two years I worked with Robin, he taught and encouraged me to write. His acknowledgement of my efforts boosted my confidence,” remembers Rida Waqar.

Soon after the news broke, condolences started pouring in.

RIP Robin Fernandez — op editor at The Express Tribune. Your gentle demeanor, professionalism, measured critique and that you never talked down to any of us will always be remembered and respected by so many desk heads and subs.

— Halima Mansoor (@Hmansoor) November 13, 2018

My Op-Ed editor at @etribune Robin Fernandez passed away today. He was a kind and gentle person and I owe him a great deal for giving me the opportunity to write for one of the best newspapers in Pakistan. Please remember him in your prayers. May he rest in peace.

— Hassan A. Niazi (@Hassan_A_Niazi) November 13, 2018

Much saddened to hear this morning of the death of Robin Fernandez at Express-Tribune. Lovely man. Never heard a bad word about him - and that is most unusual. RIP Robin.

— Chris Cork (@Manticore73) November 13, 2018