As the weekend in which the late great news commentator Paul Harvey will be memorialized and laid in his final resting place, I wanted to offer a tiny tribute.
Like anyone who turned on an AM radio in recent decades, Paul Harvey’s news and “Rest of the Story” segments were almost always irresistible. I didn’t get to see him speak in person until he delivered the commencement address at Hillsdale College in 2000, when I watched some of my friends graduate. About that same time, he began singing the praises of my alma mater on his radio program. Subscriptions to Hillsdale’s free speech digest Imprimis have soared.
Many people I’ve met in recent years, people of various ages and backgrounds, the only connection they have to Hillsdale is they remember Paul Harvey talking about it. It’s just one small example of the tremendous reach of his influence and the widespread appreciation for his work.
Very few (if any) remaining figures of public stature are so quintessentially American and down-to-earth as Mr. Harvey was. A reassuring, friendly voice heard on radio stations across the country – and on mine – who by all accounts was genuinely genial both on the microphone and off.
Paul Harvey’s warm personality, folksy charm, and trademark vocal delivery will be greatly missed. Condolences to his family and loved ones.
Good day! RIP, Paul Harvey (1918-2009)
“and now he knows….the rest of the story”