Paul Harvey: 1918-2009

I already miss Paul Harvey. And I'm glad I didn't miss out on saying something about his passing Saturday at age 90. Many have and will comment about him, and most will do so more eloquently than I, but his memory deserves even one more poor contribution.

I started listening to Paul Harvey at the noontime radio newscasts heard during school lunch hour at the drive-in diner in my old hometown. His distinctive speaking cadence was arresting, even for young men more interested in rock-n-roll and girls than politics or current events. Naturally everyone I knew made fun of his delivery and tried like heck to imitate him. We knew, of course, that he was an Oklahoma native, and there was pride in that for us. Local boy done good.

A few years later I was a somewhat liberal newspaper editor for a small town paper who often got volunteered by the publisher to make the 30-mile run to the printer with the pages of the latest edition. Often I found myself having a Super Sonic burger (with cheese, mayo and onion only) and fries, listening once more to Paul Harvey's news. And reflecting on his editing choices and delivery helped me think about my own. His conservative views were compelling all the more because there was just so much ... can we still say the term ... common sense associated with them. I won't say that he changed my professional life -- that would be a lie -- but I will say that he was one of the influential voices who helped me rethink some of the positions that I thought I held.

In recent years it was a bit more problematic to listen to his morning newscasts, in part because since his mega-deal with ABC Radio he'd obviously delegated much of the story selection to subordinates, some of whom I suspect did not share his own conservative views. Often there would be a fill in, as Mr. Harvey's health would fluctuate and during the period of time when he devoted himself to his beloved Angel. If the fill in was Paul Harvey Jr., or Fred Thompson, then it was a good day, because both men respected Paul's franchise. But other fill ins were not as respectful. I hesitate to think of what will happen now.

Yet even in the declining years it was always heart-warming to hear Mr. Harvey's delivery, that sharp, staccato voice that commanded us to "Stand by for ... News!"

I believe that each human individual is unique, created by God and shaped by the forces in our lives. But sometimes it's hard to separate a lot of us because we try so hard to blend into this group or that. Paul Harvey didn't blend; he stood out, and I think God was pleased.

"Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let your perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen."