Victims:
Robert “Big Rob” Hiaasen
The 59-year-old is described by the Baltimore Sun as a wryly observant writer and mentor of the younger staff members at Capital Gazette.
Robert was married to Maria Hiaasen for 33 years. The two married five months after their first date. Together they had three kids: Ben, 29,; Samantha, 27, and Hannah, 26.
He was known as “Big Rob” by his children and many others as he stood 6 feet 5 inches tall. Maria described him as humorous and “just the best husband.”
Robert was a native to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He joined the Capital Gazette as an assistant editor in 2010 and wrote a column that appeared in the Sunday paper.
Gerald Fischman
Gerald Fischman, 61, is described as having a “wicked pen” and worked as a voice of the Annapolis news for 25 years, according to the Capitol Gazette.
“He had ability that, I thought, deserved a higher calling than The Capital,” longtime editor and publisher Tom Marquardt said.
Fischman started working at the paper in 1992 and was known for his post-it notes on just about every piece he submitted.
He married an opera star from Mongolia online.
Fischman graduated from the University of Maryland in 1979 and was routinely awarded regional writing awards.
John McNamara
John McNamara, 56, worked at the Capitol Gazette for more than 20 years covering sporting events.
He went by “Mac” and was known for his concise writing and extensive knowledge of regional sports.
A fellow reporter said his “razor wit” would come out in bursts that impressed them all.
Mac graduated from the University of Maryland and wrote two books about his alma mater’s athletics. He was said to be working on a book about great basketball players before he died.
He is survived by his wife Andrea Chamblee.
Our biggest argument was about who was lucky enough to have the other,” she said.
“He was devoted to his friends and family. He was devoted to his craft and he was devoted to me.”
Wendi Winters
Wendi Winters, 65, moved to Maryland 20 years ago after a career in fashion and public relations in New York City. She was hired at the Capital Gazette and covered all sorts of local news.
Wendi has four children and her daughter, Winters Geimer, said her mother was a “fantastic reporter.”
“Her life was a gift to everyone who knew her and the world will not be the same without her,” said Winter. “We are grieving and trying to make sure all of us can be together to celebrate the life of our mother.”
Wendi studied fashion design at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Friends said she was known for her detailed Christmas letters.
“You would be completely updated about every aspect of her life,” Kathryn Flynn, a longtime editor at the Capital Gazette said and laughed.
Her last tweet posted Sunday was about a community mural project.
“Spreading beauty one artwork at a time today ...” she wrote.
“That would be Wendi,” Flynn said.
Rebecca Smith
Rebecca Smith, 34, was a recent hire at the Capital Gazette but was already thought of as a “valuable asset.”
She was a sales assistant and her boss said she made sure the sales department ran smoothly.
“She was a very thoughtful person,” Capital Gazette advertising director Marty Padden said. “She was kind and considerate, and willing to help when needed. She seemed to really enjoy to be working in the media business.”
Rebecca described herself on her Facebook as a survivor of endometriosis — and a “Dog Mom. Softball Fiance. Bonus Mom to the best kid ever.”
She lived in Baltimore County with her fianc?.
“She was a very kind person,” Padden said. “She was very likable, and she had a good sense of humor.”
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Originally Posted by bowieluva
