Beloved Newton journalist killed in hit-and-run, husband remembers her passion

NEWTON, Kan. (KSNW) — A beloved journalist from Newton is being remembered by her husband and sister as someone with a passion for her faith and storytelling. They say they’re trying to channel their grief into forgiveness.

Laurie Oswald Robinson was training for a 60-mile journey that she would’ve participated in this summer, the Father Kapaun Pilgrimage, when she was struck and killed in a hit-and-run early Monday morning.

The crash occurred in Newton, on SE 24th Street, just east of Interstate 135.

Her husband said there was no greater pain that he experienced than walking into his home and not being greeted by her smile.

Al Robinson said he left for work Monday morning, not knowing it was the last time he’d seen his wife alive.

“The last thing I remember is that I kissed her and said, have a good workout,” said Al.

Time stood still when he realized why law enforcement was at his work.

“The other police officer came out, but he says Chaplin, and I knew the worst had happened,” said Al.

He believes he is using his faith in an attempt to provide mercy.

“There are no winners. Everybody lost. You know I lost a wonderful person, and this young lady, she has the rest of her life to deal with this. I would like to tell this person and the family. I forgive you. I need to move on,” said Al.

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Laurie had been training for the pilgrimage, something her husband said was important to her. He added she was going to complete all 60 miles of the journey.

“You didn’t have to do all four days; you could do one day, or two days, whatever you wanted; Laurie wanted all four,” said Al.

Her sister Jane Lambert said she did not think she would be around to bury her younger sister. She said her sister used her 26-year career in faith journalism to impact the lives of many.

“As the oldest, I never thought I’d outlive her, which has really been difficult. Her love for writing, it fed her soul think,” said Lambert.

For Al, he wishes he could see his wife just one more time.

“She greeted me, coming from her office, or when she came from her walks, that smile that lit up the house, right now it’s empty, and I miss it,” said Al.

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Al said it had been hard to get through the past few days but said his wife left behind boxes upon boxes of her writings, something he will always remember her completing.

The 23-year-old driver, Samara Maple, who struck Oswald-Robinson, has been charged with failure to stop in an accident resulting in death.

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