Reg Obit Writer Among Those to Leave Paper

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Posted by Nick Schou in OC Register Death Watch

April 29, 2008 1:14 PM

Permalink | Comments (12)

There's something a little sad—ironic is too obvious a word—in the apparent fact that Robin Hinch, the Register's famed obituary writer, is among the casualties of the paper's most recent round of self-immolation.

Today I received an anonymous tip from a source with ties to the Register's newsroom saying that Hinch—the subject of a Weekly feature story years ago and a former Freedom Communications Employee of the year—is departing the paper. Besides Hinch, the source said the following staffers were on their way out the door:

*Catherine Reiland, the paper's deputy editor for finance

*Neil Pinchin, a design editor

*Andy Horan, a Sunday editor who joined the revenue-draining OC Post as managing editor until it folded recently, returning to the Reg

*Travel editor Steve Plesa

*Sports editor Greg Gibson

*Daniel Anderson, a photographer and husband of Register columnist Yvette Cabrera

It's still unclear if Hinch and the others are being forced out or are taking buyouts that were announced in tandem with the staffing cutbacks, although one would have to assume that at least some of the departures are voluntary. It's too bad, as our profile of her noted, Hinch was one of the best obituary writers in the business; she actually took more time to get to know her dead subjects than most writers spend talking to live ones. And both Plesa and Gibson edited award-winning and highly readable sections of the paper.

Stay tuned for more names as they become known.

Comments (12)

Rich Kane says:
April 29, 2008 15:07

Also gone, for reasons not made clear, but it was announced today on the back and bottom of the Reggie's Sports section: Dave Strege, the paper's outdoors writer, who joined the Reg in 1980.

In Strege's place, editors are soliciting ideas and stories from readers, presumably because they don't have to pay them anything (especially health insurance), or very, very little.

Sophie's mom says:
April 29, 2008 20:31

You might want to check your sources next time. Neil's last name is spelled Pinchin.

Ex-Reg says:
April 29, 2008 22:04

Some of the names I don't know, but a few I knew:

Dan Anderson was a Pulitzer finalist when I was there, for his 1999 series of motel children. I saw in the paper that he had just won some other award last week or the week before.

Robin Hinch was awesome, first at the Press-Telegram and then at the Register. She was a great writer, but what set her apart was she really reported the obits - it wasn't some warmed over mortuary press release.

Steve Plesa had a gravel voice. He was features editor in the Register's 1980s peak. He wasn't the travel editor. He was the boss of the travel editor and food editor. The last phone list I have says he's "Team Leader for Food and Travel."

Dan Chmielewski says:
April 30, 2008 00:09

Robin Hinch is one of the most talented writers I have ever known. She has a unique skill in telling life stories that celebrate life, not mourn death. Reading her work was a gift.

The Bolsavik says:
April 30, 2008 04:25

Robin Hinch wrote a very nice in-depth bio of my father-in-law when he passed away. For someone who only found out about him at his death, Robin wrote a bio that was more factual, more in-depth than many others who had known him wrote.

Anonymous says:
April 30, 2008 15:39

pinchon. thank you.

Buddha says:
April 30, 2008 16:33

Sophie's mom is a b*tch!

What a rude and pointless post.

beeeezling says:
April 30, 2008 19:21

Sophie's mom is also right -- it is Pinchin, not Pinchon.

But as with all the other errors Nicky makes in his reporting and writing, don't expect him to correct this one either.

Your pal,

William Strunk, Jr.

Nice Work Reggie says:
May 1, 2008 06:54

I had a friend show up for her advertising job at the Register Wednesday. Funny, her electronic badge didn't allow her access ... Was it broken?

No, denying her access was the Register's way of letting her know her services were no longer required after years of being part of the "Freedom Family."

She was told she could come back that evening and pick up her stuff, though, so I guess that's nice.

Alex Brant-Zawadzki says:
May 3, 2008 18:21

...prolonged sigh...

St. Nick might not wait until December to ram a lump of coal up UR WRONG ass, beeeezling. Still can't come up with your own pseudonym, huh?

Judith Hunt says:
June 26, 2008 20:47

I will echo what others have written about Robin Hinch. I really enjoyed each time I read one of her articles about the dearly departed. She wrote so many positive things about each, one would feel like he/she knew the individual. Why the hel@ is Corky Carroll STILL THERE??? Why didn't he get dumped instead??? His articles (to me) are so ABSOLUTELY POINTLESS!! I wish there was some way to get Robin back and Corky DUMPED!!! Just my two cents...

Michele Moreau says:
July 5, 2008 08:45

So sorry to hear about Robin Hinch. I agree, she is an excellent writer - an alchemist at times - who carved out a niche for herself in an area which most papers treat as an afterthought.

And Judith Hunt, you are absolutely right about Corky Carroll. I never understood his appeal and cringed every time I read his column, which I did only because I had too much time on my hands and it was kind of like driving by a wreck on the side of the freeway...you just have to look and see how bad it is. His column - I can't even call it writing - is UTTERLY AND COMPLETELY WORTHLESS.