ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, July 28, 1996 TAG: 9607290058
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH
TYPE: NEWS OBIT
SOURCE: ELIZABETH SIMPSON LANDMARK NEWS SERVICE
Known as much for capturing the spirit of Hampton Roads in photographs as he was for his willingness to help others, Virginian-Pilot photographer Christopher Reddick died Saturday of a heart attack.
Reddick, 30, who was an intern and a staff photographer at the Roanoke Times & World-News before he was hired in Norfolk in 1990, was remembered by friends and co-workers as someone who tried to bring new faces to the pages of the newspaper in his professional life and who helped relatives, friends and aspiring photographers in his personal life.
``Chris was passionate about photojournalism; his photos capture the humanity not only of his subjects but of Chris himself,'' said Cole Campbell, editor of The Virginian-Pilot. ``He had a sly sense of humor and a welcoming personal style. We will miss his spirit and his friendship.''
Reddick's photographs speak to his ability to catch moments that touched the hearts of a community: The photograph of a mother holding her child at a Baptist church revival. The one of Norfolk State University students carrying pictures of Martin Luther King during a march. And the striking photo of children peeking through the windows of a public housing complex at the aftermath of a murder scene.
``He was very sensitive,'' said fellow photographer Beth Bergman. ``He looked big and tough, but he had a soft touch.''
He was a photographer determined to get the shot he needed. In 1989, he was arrested while photographing the Greekfest riots in Virginia Beach and detained for five hours before being released to produce stunning photographs of the fray between rioters and police officers.
``He was always willing to step in and help out,'' said W.N. Abourjilie, photography department manager at The Virginian-Pilot. ``He was an excellent photographer, with his main strength being sports. He was also very conscious of minority neighborhoods and always looked for ways to bring them forward in the newspaper.''
He was a frequent winner of sports, news and feature photography awards at the Virginia Press Association contest and Echoes of Excellence, a contest sponsored by the Hampton Roads Black Media Professionals.
Reddick also stood out for his willingness to help in the community. He did volunteer work with minority youth at the Hunton YMCA. And in 1994, he participated in a project called ``Open Shutters,'' in which African Americans in predominantly black neighborhoods were given cameras to photograph their communities. He taught residents the basics of photography and how to capture the images that would best show the essence of the places they lived.
``He was very concerned about the way minorities were portrayed in the media,'' said close friend Angelita Plemmer, a co-worker and former Roanoker. ``He wanted to be sure they were depicted accurately and fairly.''
"Chris always brought a smile and a lot of energy to everything he did," Roanoke Times photo editor Keith Graham said. "He'll be missed not only as a colleague, but also as a friend.''
Beyond his work as a photographer, Reddick also will be remembered as being a gentle teddy bear with a big heart. ``He'd give you his last dollar,'' Plemmer said. ``He took care of me like a big brother.''
Reddick's family said his need to help others was part of his basic nature. ``He was the baby brother in our family, but he always acted like the big brother because he was always looking after everyone else,'' said his sister, Marie Manning, who lives in Toledo. ``He was the caretaker.''
If a sister needed a new air conditioner, Reddick would send her one. If a brother needed some help financially, Reddick sent money. ``He was good at that kind of thing,'' Manning said. Reddick is survived by Manning, another sister, Renee Sampson, and a brother, Rolland Reddick Jr., all of Toledo.
Reddick's sister, Marie Manning of Toledo, Ohio, said he had a history of heart problems that went back about eight years.
LENGTH: Medium: 75 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: Reddick (headshot)by CNB