Paul Harvey, Goodbye

Paul Harvey died Saturday.

A spokesman for ABC Radio Networks says Harvey died at his winter home in Phoenix, surrounded by family.

"Paul Harvey was one of the most gifted and beloved broadcasters in our nation’s history. As he delivered the news each day with his own unique style and commentary, his voice became a trusted friend in American households," said ABC Radio Networks President James Robinson. "Even after the passing of his loving wife Angel in May 2008, Paul would not slip quietly into retirement as he continued to take the microphone and reach out to his audience. We will miss our dear friend tremendously and are grateful for the many years we were so fortunate to have known him. Our thoughts and prayers are now with his son Paul Jr. and the rest of the Harvey family." Robinson said.

For more than forty years, the legendary broadcaster told millions of Americans to “stand by for news,” as they started their day. On their lunch hour, or five o'clock drive home, they were entertained and educated by "The Rest of the Story."

Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1918, Harvey made radio receivers as a boy. It was the beginning of a beautiful relationship with radio that would last for decades.

Harvey's distinctive voice made him instantly recognizable. His trademark sign-off "Good Day!" could leave any listener with a reassured smile on their face, no matter how bad the news was he'd just delivered.

"My father and mother created from thin air what one day became radio and television news," said Harvey's son, Paul Jr., on his father's passing.” So in the past year, an industry has lost its godparents and today millions have lost a friend," he said.

One of my favorite memories as a child was my daily rides to school with my dad. We listened to a family-owned AM station that featured a morning farm report, local obituaries (complete with an organ music bed) and replays of the classic radio show, "Lum and Abner." And every morning at exactly 7:45, there was Harvey's smooth baritone voice, delivering the day's national headlines with his unique perspective.

Sadly, the days of locally-owned radio stations are almost gone for good. Huge corporations like Clear Channel, Cumulus and Infinity have all but cornered the market in the medium. Local disc jockeys and fully-staffed news departments have been replaced by syndicated shock jocks and satellite "411" segments.

The romance of radio is all but gone, and with Paul Harvey's passing, another chapter in its once-unique and special relationship with America comes to a close.

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