More Kobe tributes

Automotive Industries, August, 2004 by Lindsay Brooke

Thanks to Rob Wilson for devoting his June column to the memory of my friend and former colleague, Gerry Kobe. Gerry's passion for automaking, creative story ideas and carefully researched reporting were major factors in A.I.'s success during his 15 years on the magazine. In addition to being the best pure writer on our staff, Gerry was blessed with an innate ability to understand and communicate any technical topic. This, along with his sense for the unusual made him, in my opinion, Detroit's pre-eminent manufacturing journalist.

He was also an accomplished driver and mechanic, and an expert on antique and collectible toys. And yes, Gerry did not tolerate B.S., a fact which endeared him to our editorial team but often made the "suits" at our various publishing company-owners bristle. Automotive journalism has lost a unique, Class-A person.

Lindsay Brooke

Lindsay was an A.I. staff editor for 16 years.

I read with sorrow the account of Gerry Kobe's passing. Rob Wilson's tribute to him was on the mark on all counts. Gerry had the courage to point out B.S. when he saw it. Few of us do so today for fear of rocking the boat or being seen as negative, This has the unfortunate consequence of settling for mediocrity. Gerry was anything but mediocre. We should all strive for his insight, courage and honesty.

Steve Frazier