blog

Rest Well, Robert Hughes

by Mike Ma

It is with a heavy, sad heart that I am writing to inform friends of kasina that Robert Hughes has passed. We knew him as Robert Larson-Hughes, as he was a Principal of the firm and also has served on our Board of Advisors after he left us in 2005.

Anyone who has been to our office should feel his presence. In addition to a number of other things I'd like to talk about below, he designed our office space.

Larry Cecil of Van Kampen paid us one of the best compliments that makes me think of Robert. Larry said, "This is exactly what I thought kasina's offices would look like."

Of course. It was designed by my friend, Robert Hughes.

In his short tenure with us, he left an indelible mark on our firm and me personally. I credit him with a lot of what I know about consulting and business. He challenged me on improving our process across the board for our clients. I still can hear him repeat one of his favorite Robert-isms, "All we sell is a process. So it better be good."

However, if I limited his credits to that I would be doing him a great disservice.

He taught me the value of surrounding yourself with a vibrant, passionate community. He was previously Steven's boss at McGladrey and came to work for his former employee because he thought Steven would stimulate him the most. He didn't need the money. He wanted to be in New York for personal reasons and wanted to be challenged. He thought we were the best fit. I don't know of many people whose pride would take such a back seat to his commitment to passion, learning, and community.

As I mentioned earlier, he also impressed on us the value of physical space. An MIT-trained architect, Robert graced us with his ingenious eye. If you have been here, you will realize that he placed a premium on community and elegant simplicity. He was a noncomformist who was savvy enough to conform when appropriate. He was a master of working with what was there and making it better.

All the things I love about kasina in our office. All Robert.

As you may see, I always sensed a kindred connection with him and it was solidified when he chose to move to Vermont after leaving us, not more than a few miles from me. It afforded me the luxury of seeing him more often than most others here at kasina. For that, I am grateful.

Robert, we will miss you.

Please hug your loved ones extra hard tonight. I know I will.