Frank Robertson's Blog

Several of my colleagues this week have expressed their thoughts on the passing of Hugh Smith and it's appropriate that I do the same.

When I came to WTVT in 1988, I knew that, at some point, I would be assuming Hugh's role as co-anchor of the 6 and 11 p.m news. So did he. The timetable wasn't set and quite frankly I was a little surprised when, after only 5 months, management decided I would start anchoring the 11pm with Kelly Craig and then the 6pm that September as we moved into our new building.

Here's what you should know about that entire process. Never once did Hugh Smith say an unkind word to me. Quite to the contrary. He treated me as a peer when, in fact, I had a long way to go before attaining that status. He did become a great mentor because of his vast knowledge and unparalleled insight as the Tampa Bay area's preeminent television journalist.

More than one person said to me at the time, "You have some big shoes to fill." Each one of them was right and I never really tried to fill them. I simply tried to do my professional best which is the standard Hugh Smith set for all of us.

We will all miss him, but we will never forget him.