Editor Robert Loomis is Retiring From Random House After 54 Years

Posted on May 9, 2011

Editor Robert Loomis is retiring from Random House, reports the New York Times. Loomis, who turns 84 in August, has been with Random House for 54 years. Gina Centrello, president and publisher of Random House Publishing Group, said in a memo that "Bob epitomizes the editor's role at its best."

Loomis has edited books for authors including Maya Angelou, William Styron, Shelby Foote and Calvin Trillin. He edited 31 books for Maya Angelou. Angelou told the New York Times , "Robert Loomis has been my editor since 1968. He has guided and encouraged me through 31 books. I can't imagine trusting a manuscript in the hands of anyone else. I am not finished writing, so I cannot let him retire."

The New York Times also interviewed Loomis in 2007, when he was celebrating 50 years at Random House.