In Scappoose, Oregon, our dear colleague Pat Malak passed away at the age of 55.

Pat was a respected and popular member of the Cycling News editorial team. He joined us in 2012, first as a freelancer and then as a full-time member of our North American team. Early on in his career, Pat garnered attention for his articles with a new angle and fresh ideas. Pat held himself to the highest standards of journalism: integrity, fairness, and accuracy.

He never said no to covering a race, team camp, or press conference. Pat traveled to Argentina, Colombia, Israel, and all over the United States in search of stories. Pat had a deep interest in cycling and the people involved in it. He was an underdog, a neo-pro, a Continental team champion, and delighted in learning what drives riders of all backgrounds to this common passion.

He was an avid champion of American domestic racing and a thorough and diligent journalist. I have spoken with some of his colleagues over the past few hours, and the word that resonated deeply and came up frequently was inspiration.

Pat was inspirational in his behavior as a writer. Whether he was interviewing a big star or a promising junior, he always gave everyone the same respect and attention.

He was also inspired by the way he got up early every morning for an early ride, often taking the time to post images of sunrises and sunsets on his Twitter feed. More recently, he would share his favorite songs, and Pat was never one to shy away from a witty line or post if he felt the situation was right. Even more important was how Pat treated those around him. He was kind, generous, and someone we can all learn from.

He will be missed by all who had the good fortune to work with him, both as a colleague and as a friend.

I am sure we will hear more about Pat from those in the cycling community over the next few days, and of course his friends at Cycling News will pay their respects in their own ways.

But our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to Pat's family and close friends during this difficult time.