Heaven shines brighter tonight because journalism sent one of its best.

George Ramos, Pulitzer winner, professor, mentor but most of all friend.

News of George’s death this weekend shocked and saddened all of us who knew, loved and respected him.

I still find it hard to believe he is no longer with us.

I first met George at an NAHJ convention about a dozen years ago. And I last saw him in June at NAHJ’s  convention in Orlando. I ran into him at the start of the convention, as always he was volunteering his time to be a mentor for the student campus. George was a mainstay of this program, helping teach young Latino journalists how to become the best. He did this because he knew that Latinos in journalism still had a long way to go. And he was right.

The last time I spoke with him was at the airport as he waited to board his flight back to California. We spoke for several minutes about the future of NAHJ and who might be running for the organization’s presidency next year. As they called his row, I told him I would see him next year in Vegas for Unity and I wished him a safe flight home.

How could I have known then it would be the last time I would speak to him?

George was an old-school journalist in many ways. I remember at NAHJ’s convention in Puerto Rico, he was in the hotel lobby surrounded by his students, giving them final instructions for the day’s assignment. As he sent them off, we talked for a while. I asked if he was on Facebook. He scoffed and answered, “I’m a dinosaur.”

I can’t even begin to imagine an NAHJ convention without George’s presence.

His death leaves a void that cannot be filled. But I can say with all certainty that those of us who had the honor and privilege of calling George a friend, will make sure his legacy lives on.

Rest in peace, dear friend. Rest in peace.