The Age’s veteran cartoonist Ron Tandberg dies
Ron Tandberg, veteran cartoonist at Fairfax Media’s The Age has died, after losing his battle with cancer.
Tandberg had been with The Age since 1972.
Tandberg had been with The Age for 45 years
According to the National Portrait gallery, Tandberg was working as a teacher when he first contributed a cartoon to the education section of The Age.
In his time as a cartoonist, Tandberg won 11 Walkley Awards, a Melbourne Press Club Quill Award and the National Museum of Australia’s political humour award.
Bevan Shields, federal editor and Canberra Bureau chief for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, announced on Twitter this afternoon Tandberg had been suffering from oesophageal cancer.
He was 74 years old.
https://twitter.com/BevanShields/status/950221800775938048
Late last year, Tony Wright wrote about Tandberg’s battle with cancer. It came after the cartoonist drew a cartoon which depicted Leondaro Da Vinci, Van Gogh and Rembrandt on a wall in a gallery, next to a man in pyjamas holding a hospital IV pole.
Tony Wright wrote about Ron Tandberg's battle with cancer in December. The treasured Age cartoonist died this afternoon https://t.co/DDzTjmIdzq
— The Age (@theage) January 8, 2018
Alex Lavelle, editor of The Age, described Tandberg as a “great friend and “inspiration” to staff and readers.
“His cartoons expertly captured with simplicity and clarity the essence of life and politics in Melbourne and around the world. Not only was he a world-class cartoonist, he was a world-class human being,” Lavelle said.
“You couldn’t help but feel better about life after a conversation with Ron. Even during these impossibly hard few months while he was battling cancer, he maintained his extraordinary sense of humour and was still drawing a few days ago.”
Tributes have been flooding in since the announcement:
Much loved Age cartoonist Ron Tandberg has died this afternoon after a battle with cancer. Tony Wright is writing an obituary in tribute to his mate. pic.twitter.com/X3hI91VmoI
— The Age (@theage) January 8, 2018
I am shocked and saddened by the news of cartooning colleague Ron Tandberg's death. He cartooned for the Melbourne Age since 1972, and I never read a cartoon that wasn't witty or pithy. One of Australia's greatest ever, he won 11 Walkley Awards. Will be greatly missed
— Alan Moir (@moir_alan) January 8, 2018
https://twitter.com/NewsMediaWorks/status/950224440817676288
If brevity is the soul of wit, then Ron Tandberg was its embodiment. Nobody could say so much so succinctly; he never lost his sharpness of humour or the power of his commentary. What a way to leave the world, drawing to the last breath. #ValeRonTandberg
— The Cathy Wilcox (@cathywilcox1) January 8, 2018
One of my last articles for The Age, had a ripper drawing by Ron Tandberg. Loved his cartoons growing up. pic.twitter.com/lM8biVZxAS
— Daniel Flitton (@danielflitton) January 8, 2018
Vale #RonTandberg. #TheAge will not be quite the same without you illustrations. pic.twitter.com/7OzpqiiPr7
— EmVee אביגיל מירים on BoonWurrung land (unceded). (@mslaust) January 8, 2018
So sad to hear of the great Ron Tandberg’s death. He graciously illustrated 4 of my books with wit, irony and compassion – including this gem! Vale Ron you are irreplaceable. pic.twitter.com/UbwWlQuN4J
— DrMichael Carr-Gregg (@MCG58) January 8, 2018
A light has gone out of Melbourne’s life. Our morning smiles and laughs will be fewer.
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He was, and is, an inspiration. Thanks Ron.
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