Toshiba veteran Angus Roberts dies

Panasonic deputy MD Steve Rust pays tribute to Angus Roberts, a close colleague and channel identity who tragically passed away earlier this month.

Angus passed away early in November. I spoke with many colleagues who knew him and we were all so shocked at his sudden departure and saddened by his personal turmoils, kept private over what one can only imagine was many years.

I first met Angus in 1990 shortly after he joined Toshiba and where he remained until his unexpected death. At the time I was running a large reseller in Sydney and Angus immediately impressed me as a “can do” vendor channel rep.

He made me feel that he cared about Toshiba’s relationship with my business and under his and Phil Cameron’s stewardship Toshiba business grew and flourished.

In 1992, I joined Toshiba for a short stint and had the mostly pleasurable company of Angus as part of my sales team.

I learnt quickly that Angus had many channel relationships which were soundly based on his combined enthusiasm for reseller development and making win-win deals. He was a popular staff member and it wasn’t a surprise to learn of the grief amongst his Toshiba colleagues following his abrupt departure.

While at Ingram Micro, I re-engaged with Angus and found he continued to excel in channel development. Again my business flourished with Angus being a vigorous and fully engaged participant – always looking for a deal which would enhance his business and the partnership between Toshiba and Ingram Micro.

Angus was fun to engage with. You knew he’d be first to find a way to help. He’d go the extra mile. He was a great representative for Toshiba, a likeable character and as far as I am concerned the industry will be the poorer for his absence.

His popularity and respect across a wide spectrum of family, friends and business colleagues was in full evidence at a service held for him on Friday November 10 where hundreds gathered to share a story about their mate. For some he was their dad, their son. For me it was for a business colleague who shared a laugh, did a deal and always made me feel good.

I know there are hundreds more around Australia and New Zealand who couldn’t be there at the service, but who like me were shocked and saddened by his passing.