Dedicated to Lionel Robert

Ken Johnston

It is amazing how much one minute in time can affect so many people.
Over the holidays I thought about what my first column of the year would be about. Perhaps family (we were all here this year) or my brother’s Plasma T.V. and HD cable.
Then I came home from his place on Monday and learned that Lionel Robert had passed away suddenly.
Instantly I knew that I would dedicate this space to him.
Lionel and I became good professional colleagues from the very first RRWT.
He showed the crowd and competitors how to get into a fishing tournament. He also worked with me to get me the best possible fish photos each and every year. In return I would whisper to him the proper pronunciation of local anglers names... of course he would improvise... just ask Alan Waleyenicki!
Lionel also spent a great deal of time visiting with people, myself included. One tournament we sat and talked for hours outside the tent and that turned into a paper full of side stories on things like his fishing solution, how a circuit of walleye tournaments could be successful, etc.
I truly enjoyed working with him and he will be sadly missed this fall.
I hope he is fishing in heaven, it is what he deserves.