First Draft by Tim Porter

Frank del Olmo

I didn't know Frank del Olmo well. In fact, I only met him twice. Each time, though, he made me want to be a better journalist. He was smart, principled, passionate, well-spoken, funny and, of course, good at what he did -- all qualities journalism needs.

Frank dropped dead in the L.A. Times newsroom yesterday. He was 55. Read the Times' package on Frank. Honor his life with your work.