Paul Harvey Signs Off
by Tad Lichtenauer • April 2009 • 6 Comments •
Paul Harvey (Culver-Stockton HON), the news commentator and talk-radio pioneer whose staccato style made him one of the nation’s most familiar voices, died February 28, 2009, in Arizona. He was 90.
Harvey died surrounded by family at a hospital in Phoenix, where he had a winter home, according to a spokesman for ABC Radio Networks, where Harvey worked for more than 50 years.
Harvey had been forced off the air for several months in 2001 because of a virus that weakened a vocal cord. But he returned to work in Chicago and was still active as he passed his 90th birthday. His death comes less than a year after that of his wife and longtime producer, Lynne.
“My father and mother created from thin air what one day became radio and television news,†their only child, Paul Harvey Jr., said in a statement. “So in the past year, an industry has lost its godparents, and today millions have lost a friend.â€
Known for his resonant voice and his trademark radio feature called “The Rest of the Story,†Harvey had been heard nationally since 1951, when he began his “News and Comment†feature for ABC Radio Networks.
He became a heartland icon, delivering news and commentary with a distinctive Midwestern flavor. “Stand by for news!†he would tell listeners.
“Paul Harvey was one of the most gifted and beloved broadcasters in our nation’s history,†James M. Robinson, president of ABC Radio Networks, said in a statement. “We will miss our dear friend tremendously and are grateful for the many years we were so fortunate to have known him.’
In 2005, Harvey was one of 14 people chosen to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He also was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame, as was his wife.
The award was bestowed on him in a ceremony at the White House. President Bush had the following words to say about Harvey:
Paul has insisted, “I’m not a hero. I’m simply a man who made a decision to hold on to my family, my life, and my beliefs until the end.†But the world came to know the story, and people everywhere can recognize heroism. And we’re so honored that Paul is with us here today. This morning, across the United States, millions of Americans started their day listening to Paul Harvey. People everywhere feel like they know the man, and his wife, Angel, too. And for so many Americans, no morning, Monday through Saturday, is quite complete without Paul Harvey News and Comment. This tireless broadcaster is up every day before the sun, writing his own scripts and ad copy for an audience tuning in to more than 1,200 radio stations and the American Forces Network. He first went on the air in 1933, and he’s been heard nationwide for 54 years. Americans like the sound of his voice. His friend, Danny Thomas, once said to him, “You’d better be right, because you sound like God.†And over the decades we have come to recognize in that voice some of the finest qualities of our country: the patriotism, the good humor, the kindness and common sense of Americans. It’s always a pleasure to listen to Paul Harvey, and it’s a real joy this afternoon to honor him, as well.
At the time, Havey insisted, “I’m not a hero. I’m simply a man who made a decision to hold on to my family, my life, and my beliefs until the end.â€
The Rest of the Story
Tell Rest of the Story
Please visit the Lambda Chi Alpha’s youtube.com site and watch the tribute to Paul Harvey. It’s your turn to tell rest of the story by leaving your video responses.
Harvey was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma. His father, a police officer, was killed when he was a toddler. A high school teacher took note of his distinctive voice and started him on a broadcast career.
He first went on the air in 1933, and he’s been heard nationwide for 54 years. Americans like the sound of his voice.
His smooth baritone voice and mastery of dramatic pause earned him quick advancement for bigger radio gigs across Kansas and Missouri.
Harvey moved to Hawaii in 1940 to cover the U.S. Navy as it began to concentrate its fleet in the Pacific. He was returning to the United States from that assignment when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. A patriot, Harvey enlisted into the Army Air Corps, where he served until 1944.
Upon return, Harvey began a daily newscast in Chicago. By 1951, his syndicated commentaries aired nationally when he began his coast-to-coast News and Comment on the ABC Radio Networks.
He composed his twice-daily news commentaries from an office in downtown Chicago.
At the peak of his career, Mr. Harvey reached more than 24 million listeners on more than 1,200 radio stations and charged $30,000 to give a speech. His syndicated column was carried by 300 newspapers.
Larry Stephens Says:
April 2nd, 2009 at 7:59 pmI enjoyed the article and wanted to tell another “Rest of the story”. It was either late 1964 or early 1965, I was a pledge of Lambda Chi at Mississippi State University. Unannounced, one afternoon Paul Harvey shows up at our chapter house and spends the entire afternoon sitting in our living room telling stories. He was on campus for a speaking engagement and had some time before his commitment and chose to spend it with us at the Lambda Chi House. It was an afternoon I will always remember.
Larry Stephens
EX306
Mark Allen Says:
April 3rd, 2009 at 8:52 amI had the pleasure to meet Mr. Harvey at the Ritz Carlton Chicago while I was working there. I said to him that I was a Lambda Chi from Purdue. He talked a little about his experience at Culver and what an honor it was to be a honarary Lambda Chi. He was very approachable and one of the nicest people I have ever met. He will be missed.
Tom Earp Says:
April 3rd, 2009 at 11:29 amThank you very mcuh for the article about Brother Paul Harvey. While only an honory member, I am sure he cherished be a LXA Brother.
What an icon he was and I am sure he will be missed all over especially by we his Brothers.
Tom Earp
LX Z 1
Pittsburg State University, Ks.
Glen Alan Graham Says:
April 3rd, 2009 at 4:00 pmI already knew that Bro. Paul had gone to that mike in the sky, as it was mentioned here on WSM-AM 650 (even tho’ I don’t think “The Rest of the Story” or “P.H. News” were ever carried on this, the Air Castle of the South. A great voice, a great mind and a caring, Christian heart have been stilled here on this mortal Earth.
Here’si another “Rest of the Story”, in two parts. When I was an Active at Epsilon-Gamma Zeta at Idaho, the Brothers would hear the name of some famous person, and say, “So-and-so’s a Lambda Chi.” I’d ehard this so many times about so many folk — a few of whom I simply KNEW couldn’t be in our Brotherhood — that when Paul came on one day on the radio in my room, another Active said, “Paul Harvey’s a Lambda Chi” and I didn’t believe him. It took seeing Bor. Paul’s name in print, in a listing of famous Lambda Chis produced by Indianapolis, before I accepted that he was indeed my Brother in the Bond!
Later, I became a great fan of Paul Heil of “The Gospel Greats”. In his on-line magazine/newsletter, THIS Paul spoke of visiting Chicago and getting to meet with Bro. Paul, whom he greatly admired. He spoke with some amazement about Bro. Paul’s Christian spirit and attitude toward things. I took great delight in e-mailing Paul Heil and telling him of Bro. Paul’s connection with LCA, and how we’re a Christian fraternity and our teachings, firmly based on Scripture, have a powerful impact on brothers, including Paul and also yours truly!
Rest in peace, Bro. Paul!
In ZAX, forever,
Glen Alan Graham
EG 540 (Idaho 1976)
Glen Alan Graham Says:
April 7th, 2009 at 3:07 pmWhen I posted the earlier Comment about Bro. Paul’s passing, I was in a situation where I couldn’t access and listen to the YouTube tribute. I’ve done this now, and wow! was it great listening!
Who provided the voice for this tribute? Whoever you are, Brother, you did a terrific job, with very appropriate words and a sterling voice. Ever consider stepping into Bro. Paul’s shoes and do radio news & commentary? Yeah, I know that his would be vERY BIG shoes to fill. But I’m confident that you can do that if you choose!
I was particularly touched by the reference to our Symbol, the Crescent. How timely is this???
You see, two Saturdays ago I left the closing dinner and events of the Bluegrass Conclave on the Vanderbilt University campus here in Nashville. As I awaited a bus on West End Ave. to go home I looked westward across Centennial Park with its full-size replica of the Parthenon. And lo and behold! a brand new sliver-thin waxing Crescent Moon hung low in the sky! Now, how timely is this???
Christ has frequently blessed me in this way, with an unanticipated waxing crescent the evening of some significant Brotherhood event or spiritual event or at some low point or crisis in my life. Thank you, Lord!
Call this Comment yet another “Rest of the Story” if you wish.
In ZAX, forever!
Glen Alan Graham
EG 540
Loren Says:
July 3rd, 2009 at 1:06 pmLike many Americans, listening to Paul Harvey became a part of my daily routine. I always took special pride in knowing that he was Lambda Chi. I know that Brother Paul had strong opinions on the issues of the day. But he had an incredible knack for expressing his views in a kind and gentle way that didn’t offend or inflame. (Sadly lacking in many of today’s commentators.) I miss you, Paul. There’s been a “hole” in my day since you left us.