Leroy Sievers

We lost a legend this weekend.

Most people don't know his name. Some may have have heard his voice. A number of us read his blog.

And anyone who came in contact with Leroy Sievers, at any time in his accomplished life, certainly remembers his presence.

Leroy was a large man, and was not shy about using that physical leverage to his advantage.

Fortunately, what was often his advantage was the shared interest of his colleagues, his co-workers in whatever newsroom he was in, whether that was at Nightline, at the Discovery Channel, and at NPR, where his blog postings and commentaries were read and heard by those both with and those who did not have cancer.

Leroy was a demanding colleague. Most demanding of himself, as the best among us often are. Diligent, capable, and with a discipline and a focus and a willingness to not just put in the hours needed to get a job done, but the energy and drive need to get that job done not just well, but quite well.

Leroy's battle with cancer, and the martial metaphor is apt, was just that. Leroy would not allow himself to become a prisoner. He fought, and for some time beat the odds. He had done battle in the media world before, and had come out on top from fights with public affairs officials, corporate flaks, and network executives. There was certainly no reason to believe he wouldn't defeat this consuming challenge.

His spirit and inspiration were legendary.

And the void created by this loss will not soon be filled.