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Champion editor Robert Naddra dies of sudden illness

Champion editor Robert Naddra

The family of Robert Naddra has announced these final arrangements for him:

Viewing: Saturday, July 14, 6 – 8 p.m. at Haisten’s Funeral Home, 1745 Zack Hinton Pkwy. S. McDonough, GA 30253. The phone number there is (770) 914-8833.

Funeral: Sunday, July 15, 1 p.m. at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 257 Highway 314, Fayetteville, Ga. 30214 (located between Lowe’s and the Fayette Pavilion)

Interment: Sunday, July 15, 3 p.m. at Eastlawn at Haisten’s, McDonough, Ga.

Champion News Editor Robert Naddra passed away the evening of July 11 following an as yet undetermined sudden illness. He was 51. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 25 years, Amy Laird Naddra, and their daughters Alexandra, Kelsey and Bethany, his mother, Angie Naddra, and two sisters Cindy Naddra Smith and Christi Naddra. His father, Robert Naddra Sr., preceded him in death.


Comments (37)

Craig Baroncelli
Said this on 8/11/12 At 12:15 pm
My thoughts and prayers to the Naddra family. I had the pleasure of working with Robert on Georgia Football magazine for several years. I just learned of his passing and I am in disbelief. Robert was not only a great editor but also a great person. He was a passionate and hard worker who always put his full effort into everything he did. He will definitely be missed, but not forgotten.
Mark Brock
Said this on 7/24/12 At 04:11 pm
I was very saddened and still am by the loss of Robert. Through my work as information officer for DeKalb County Schools Athletics Robert and I worked together to get information out about the student athletes in DeKalb. Robert was always helpful and willing to do whatever it took to help the kids. I will truly miss him. God bless his family and keep them as they move forward.
Nigel Roberts
Said this on 7/16/12 At 07:21 pm
Robert was a terrific editor. It was a pleasure to work with him. I send my best wishes to his family. Rest In Peace, Robert.
Chip Towers
Said this on 7/15/12 At 10:20 pm
I was so sorry to hear about Robert's passing. He was a top-notch journalist who could have worked for any newspaper anywhere in America. He loved his family so much and I know they'll miss him. God bless the Naddra family.
Ann Mauney
Said this on 7/14/12 At 12:11 pm
I was shocked to hear of Robert Naddra's sudden passing. Although I did not him personally, I was struck and impressed by his warm and open response when I approached him about covering neighborhood concerns and internatonal peace issues. In my experience, he went out of his way to give the community a voice through the DeKalb Champion.
JerryMyer Jackson Jr
Said this on 7/13/12 At 10:49 am
My kindest thoughts and prayers go out to the Naddra family and friends for their untimely loss ! He will be missed throughout the community !
Alan Sharp
Said this on 7/13/12 At 10:26 am
It has been my pleasure to have known and worked with Robert as our lives have crossed paths the past 20+ years. We both started our careers in Augusta, when he was a sports reporter for the Augusta Chronicle and I was sports information director at Augusta (State) College. He always had a smile, genuine personality and easy going nature. His dedication to high school sports journalism was second to none. Robert has been a valued contributor on the Georgia High School Scoreboard Show, Georgia Football Magazine (editor), numerous newspapers and brought much distinction to the teams and athletes of Dekalb Co. through his excellent work. Obviously, his life and career had much more to give before he left us too early. My deepest condolences go out to his wife Amy, daughters, family and collegues at Champion Newspaper. Thank you Robert for a life well lived. You will be greatly missed.
Lisa Newbern
Said this on 7/13/12 At 08:43 am
I am deeply saddened by this loss. Robert's life ended far too soon. May his wonderful, caring, inquisitive spirit live on in his family. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Morcease Beasley
Said this on 7/12/12 At 10:34 pm
May Robert rest in peace. He will be missed by so many. This is a great and sudden loss. The family is in our prayers.

Dr. Morcease and Lavern Beasley
Said this on 7/12/12 At 10:17 pm
What a shock. Robert was a key contributor to my "Scoreboard," show the past few years. A Great guy and a very good journalist...he'll be missed. I'll be praying for the family.
charlotte Griffin Davis
Said this on 7/12/12 At 08:38 pm
What a great tribute to a cool guy! I went to High School with Robbie and he was the quiet type in school.... Well it must be true about the quiet types, They will have something wonderful to say just takes time. We will miss you Robbie. Prayers and positive thoughts to the Naddra Family.
Bill Baab
Said this on 7/12/12 At 08:38 pm
I was saddened to learn of Robert's sudden death. We had worked together in the sports department of The Augusta Chronicle. He was such a nice guy and a pleasure to work with.

I never met his family, but I hope they will accept my sincere condolences for their great loss.

Bill Baab, Outdoor Editor (retired), The Augusta Chronicle
Nate McCullough
Said this on 7/12/12 At 07:08 pm
This is really tragic news. Everyone at the Gwinnett Daily Post who knew him is saddened by his death. He used to work here part time proofing on the copy desk. He was such a nice guy. He and I were sort of close in age and we had some great talks about rock and roll, movies and such from our generation. I'll miss him greatly.
Susan Laird
Said this on 7/12/12 At 06:43 pm
Robert was such a pleasure to work with in our study group at Leadership Dekalb! He had a warm, easy manner and a great sense of humor - always an important addition to our meetings. Gone far too soon. My condolences to his family.
Anthony Rhoads
Said this on 7/12/12 At 05:32 pm
My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. He was such a nice guy. I never worked with Robert but he was always a nice guy to me when we were at different newspapers. I enjoyed covering football with him in Henry County (even when the games weren't all that good). On a professional level, when he was at the Henry Record, they had one of the best weekly local sports sections I have seen.
Sara Fountain
Said this on 7/12/12 At 04:38 pm
Having Robert as a member of the Class of 2012 was a real joy. Seeing the video of Randall Kirsch introducing Robert to the class at the Opening Retreat brings a flood of memories. The song captured Robert so well and we all still hum the refrain. We will miss Robert because he was a real asset to our community and to The Champion newspaper. We extend our sincere condolences to the Naddra Family and to The Champion. Robert was a real treasure.
Matt Nagel
Said this on 7/12/12 At 04:14 pm
My thoughts and prayers are with the Naddra family. Robert was a warm, kind spirit and I am so glad that I had the pleasure to call him a friend.
Dante Ferguson
Said this on 7/12/12 At 04:10 pm
Our prayers go out to the family. I'm very sadden by the news of his passing. Robert was a classy guy. I just spoke with him on yesterday about him coming to our school to get photos of our workouts. He will truly be missed!
Said this on 7/12/12 At 03:48 pm
We are very saddened to hear of Robert's passing. Our condolences are with his wife and children.
AP
Said this on 7/12/12 At 03:40 pm
Very sad indeed -- my thoughts go out to Robert's family and the entire Champion family.

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