New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
Photojournalist Bob Child dies at 86
BRANFORD — Bob Child, who photographed half a century of history in Connecticut, died Wednesday at the age of 86.
Child died in hospice care in Branford of complications from several illnesses, his family told the Associated Press.
Before joining the Associated Press in 1972, Child worked for the New Haven Journal-Courier and Hearst Connecticut Media’s New Haven Register.
Child, who retired in 2009, developed relationships over the years with fellow journalists, photographers, law enforcement, politicians and others.
U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., was among them and knew Child for decades.
“When he showed up for
a story, it was like seeing an old friend,” Blumenthal said Wednesday. “He was more than a pro with a camera. He was a person of real depth who had endless insight and real intelligence within the endlessly diverse
topics that he covered.”
“He really cared about people,” he added.
Passionate about his work, Child often knew “more of what was going on than most reporters,” said Peter Hvizdak, a former photojournalist at the New Haven Register.
“He’s a legend,” Hvizdak said. “Bob was a part of Connecticut history for 50 years.”
Child always seemed to have a sense of knowing
how a story would unfold, and where to position himself to capture the moment, Hvizdak recalled.
“He was an empathetic photographer,” said Don Heiny, who worked for
Child as a frequent freelance photographer at the Associated Press’ Hartford bureau in the 1980s and early ‘90s. “He understood what he was photographing” and that gave “his photographs such strength.”
“Bob was a humanist at heart and his photographs showed that; honest, respectful, insightful of feelings, zest for life,” Heiny added. “He was in the moment when his eye was in the viewfinder of those Nikons.”
Child was a mentor for many photojournalists, including Hvizdak, Heiny and Jessica Hill, a freelance photographer for the Associated Press and other outlets.
Child took a chance on Hill 20 years ago.
“If he hadn’t hired me, my life would have been very different,” Hill said. “There’s only a few people on this journey where you can pick that point in the road where they gave you options for your entire life story. I wouldn’t be where I am without Bob.”
Heiny met Child like a lot of photographers met him: On the job. In Heiny’s case, it was at a street demonstration in 1981 in Meriden. Heiny cherished his friendship with Child and did his best to earn his respect.
“I learned how to shoot news photography through Bob,” Heiny said.
Heiny remembered how Child was in the dark room. Despite taking what many called the best shots, Child wouldn’t praise his own work. He simply said: “That’ll do,” Heiny recalled.
“Because tomorrow you go out again,” Heiny said. “You go on and do the next one.”
Child was also tough on the streets.
When photographing, he wasn’t afraid to jut out his elbows at other photographers to make room and get in the best spot. Other photographers soon learned to throw their elbows in return, but it was “out of love,” Hvizdak recalled.
Robert Child III was born in Boston and raised in New Haven. He attended Yale University on a music scholarship and graduated in 1958, the Associated Press reported.
Child’s twin brother, Pat, worked for decades as a video journalist at WTNHTV. Pat died in 2004.
Child’s wife, Joan Child, died in 2008.
In his 11 days in hospice, Child had a stream of visitors come to rehash memories. Child met his visitors with a “huge smile,” Hvizdak said.
Child is survived by his three children, Sara Child Stevens, Robert and Emily Child Smith; eight grandchildren; and five greatgrandchildren, according to the Associated Press.
A memorial service will be held in Child’s honor at Trinity Lutheran Church on 292 Orange St. in New Haven on April 23.