Robin Williams Comforted A Stranger At The Airport Following Her Husband's Suicide

Aug 19, 2021 by apost team

Robin Williams was a beloved comedian and actor who was best known for his incredible improvisational skills and the variety of characters he was able to bring to life at the spur of the moment. He is considered one of the greatest comedians of all time. Williams began performing stand-up comedy in the 1970s and rose to fame playing the role of Mork on “Mork and Mindy.”

He is remembered for his many films, which were both critically and commercially successful, such as “Good Morning, Vietnam,” “Dead Poets Society,” “Hook,” “Jumanji” and for “Good Will Hunting,” which earned him the Academy Award for best supporting actor. He was also the recipient of many other accolades, including two Primetime Emmy Awards, six Golden Globes and five Grammy Awards. 

At the age of 63, on Aug. 11, 2014, Williams took his own life. His wife and the medical experts who performed his autopsy attributed his suicide to the effects of living with Lewy body dementia. 

Williams brought light into the lives of many people thanks to his wonderful talents. He was also an advocate for the homeless, sick children and veterans. A woman has come forward sharing a personal story about a time that Williams made a positive impact in her life, and it happened while she was at the airport. Kate Lyon Osher shared her story on Dec. 1, 2016, with the online publication The Mighty. 

Osher shared that her husband, Greg, had died by suicide. She then went on a journey scattering his ashes wherever he requested and tried to piece herself back together as best as she could. She said she spent quite a bit of time flying between Los Angeles and Oakland. Keep reading to hear Osher’s story about being comforted by the late Robin Williams. 

Osher said that it is not easy to get a container of a person’s ashes through TSA security, and one afternoon at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), she found herself on the receiving end of a difficult TSA security agent. After several threats saying she was going to have to throw away the ashes, she was falling into hysterics. Then a real cop came in and looked at her husband’s death certificate. Luckily, she made it to the airport bar, but she was still crying and clutching the little container.

Sitting alone and trying to pull herself together after the ordeal, Osher was visited by a stranger.

She wrote, "I sat in a corner table facing the wall so no one could see how hysterical I was ... and I felt a hand on my shoulder. A soft voice stated, ‘Miss, I just want to be sure you are OK. I see you are traveling alone, and I saw what happened, and I just really want to be sure you are OK.’ Through my tears, I could place the voice but couldn’t actually believe Robin Williams was just casually strolling through LAX and would actually take the time to stop to see if I was OK.”

Osher gave Williams a short version of her story. She added, “His eyes got a little glossy. His voice got softer. And he said to me, ‘I am so sorry for all the pain your husband was in. I’m so sorry for the pain you are in now. But it sounds like you have family and friends and love. And that tips the scale a bit, right?’ And he walked me to the gate, as we were on the same commercial flight.”

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Osher shared, “He was always there for our veterans, always there for our servicemen, children in hospitals, his own friends and family in need, and even a hysterical stranger in the airport. And what I haven’t yet shared was that during our walk to the gate he got me laughing.”

The writer said Williams was: “Impersonating people we passed by. Making fun of the TSA agents, especially the one who gave me such a hard time. In a playful way though. Not insulting (even though the guy totally deserved to be insulted). He told me I had a wonderful laugh. A beautiful smile. And when we parted ways, he hugged me.”

Osher continued, “With his famously hairy arms, he gave me a huge, warm, bear hug, and it sustained me. It was a moment I think about all the time. That moment saved me. And sustained me. He sustained me during one of the most difficult moments of my life. He was as kind as he was funny.”

Williams is still remembered for his contribution to society through his work as well as his philanthropy. “His death is so terribly, terribly tragic. That someone who brought so much light and joy to others felt so much darkness inside. Rest in peace, Mr. Williams. May you find the peace that eluded you here and may you keep the angels laughing,” wrote Osher.

She added, “Thanks for being there that day for me. You were the angel I needed. And I know you spoke from experience, and I appreciated that.”

If you or anybody you know is struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts, please call Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for you or your loved ones and best practices for professionals.

Are you a fan of Williams and his work? Were you moved by this story? Let us know, and be sure to send this on to your loved ones.