FOR ART'S SAKE: Visit with Dying Buchwald Inspires Letters to 'E&P'

By: Greg Mitchell An article posted today at E&P Online describing a recent visit with Art Buchwald in a hospice is already generating a good deal of comment and tributes to the famed columnist.

The story by Suzette Martinez Standring reveals that Buchwald has refused dialysis treatments, knowing that this means he will soon die, but he remains upbeat, even cracking jokes as the end nears.

We are publishing a few letters below, and will add more as they come in. Send your comments care of: gmitchell@editorandpublisher.com

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The Eddie Murphy Factor

Damn he is a great man. Always made me laugh and had his own original perspective on political life.

Who could forget his lawsuit of Paramount over "Coming to America" where he was finally vindicated for being the original creator of that tale? And even Buchwald's lawsuit accomplished a great social good: they exposed Paramount's phoney accounting practices.

Good for you, Art. Dialysis is a drag and I would make the same choice! Keep on trucking, wherever it takes you.

Joanne G Murphy
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Hooked at Ten

Like most kids, all I knew of newspapers as a very young child were the comics. But I remember how my parents would share a column by Art Buchwald and laugh out loud. I wished I could read his columns at my own pace. Eventually I learned I could find Art on my own, on the editorial page. I was nine or ten or so, and hooked. From there, it was on to the harder stuff - editorials, crime briefs, news. Forty years later, a newspaper editor and an occasional writer. Thanks, Art.

Jay Jochnowitz
Albany, NY

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A True Mensch

Thank you so much for the beautiful March 3 story about Art Buchwald. I found it funny, poignant and elegantly written.

Art served in the Marine Corps with my grandfather, George Acheson, who lives in Lafayette, Indiana. When you mentioned that Art's number is in the phone book, I smiled knowingly. When my Grandpa turned 80 in 2002, I endeavored to find Art's information and see if he might write my Grandpa something funny, an endeavor that I thought was a long shot at best. All it took was a surprisingly short visit to Switchboard.com and not only was Art more than happy to talk to a total stranger about a guy he knew years ago, Art called my grandpa on his birthday. I've never been able to give him a better gift that that.

So when next you speak to Art's daughter, could you do me a favor and tell her that Art's old Marine friend is praying for him - and that I am too?

Matt May
Detroit
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From One Columnist to Another

My nearly 20-year career as a columnist at The Dallas Morning News ended in October 2004 thanks to the modern journalistic scourge: layoffs...But when I was a kid reporter in the 1960s at the Texarkana Gazette & Daily News, it was high praise indeed to be told, "Hey, this sounds a little like Buchwald."

Just to sound a little like him -- what a great thing. The guy rocks. Favorite book: "I Chose Capitol Punishment."

To write a sentence on a Monday that makes someone laugh out loud -- then think about why they're laughing -- on a Wednesday. That's magic. Thanks, Mr. Buchwald.

Larry Powell

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The Marine Him

Art, You were a good Marine. We could always count on you. Always faithful, Semper Fidelis.

Jim Baxter
Sgt. USMC WWII & Korean War

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Art and Paris

I am profoundly saddened to hear that Art Buchwald is now waiting for his train to a better place. I feel relieved, though, that he is enjoying the fare at the station.

As a young English student in Paris, my favorite read for years was Art's inimitable column in the International Herald Tribune. The Zeus of Zaniness imparted warmth and glee, laced with a zingy je-ne-sais-quoi that left me giggling to myself, stepping on clouds, on my way to Sorbonne classes. He was the unknown American friend
whispering the wisdom of Merci Donnant in my head in a sometimes gray and morose Paris. He was the imp of humor who rode in right after the GIs who freed my city and filled it with a new, friendly, American laughter.

Without Art, Paris is no longer Paris. That warm light he lit and which helped dissipate the shadows of the war will no longer glow in La Ville Lumi?re.

Please give him my warmest regards and my best wishes for that great trip to up, up, and away. I hope there's a bistro up there and that he'll be toasted as he deserves. If there is anything he'd enjoy in the meantime, please let me know if I can send it....

Philippe Dambournet
Austin, TX

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Advice to Young Journos

I hope that somewhere, a young up and coming journalist follows the wisdom of Art Buchwald. Their generation is going to need someone like him. We were lucky. Thanks Art.

Kathy Jadud
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An Unusual Link

As I recall Art Buchwald grew up in the same orphanage as my mother, Pleasantville, although some years later. I think the experience that he had was similar to that of my mother's and it enabled him to face just about anything that life could throw at him.

He's always been my hero, just a few years older than me I hope I have the same courage that he has always had.

Marvin Greenberg
Riverside, Rhode Island

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Friends, In Deed

If ya get a chance, tell him thanx from lots of folks he never new.

Jim Bailey
Cripple Creek, Colo.
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Dear Art

I don't know you personally except through the vast collection of books you wrote that I bought and read over the years. But it pained me profoundly to read of your kidney problem and of your decision to forego dialysis and to accept the inevitable without that hectic schedule in the Dialysis Unit. I can understand, having seen patients in similar situations in my 33 years of medical practice. I admire you for your grace in reaching this decision.

Like millions of Americans, I have read thousands of your columns through the years, and unfailingly they infused my life with your humor and wisdom. What I found unique is you were never, not once in your writing career, mean-spirited like some satirists we all know. Never like Henry Mencken, or even Andy Rooney.

You are leaving us a legacy that millions of us will always treasure. I can always turn to your books to amuse me when I get sad. May God bless you, and I hope there's a Heaven out there so you can amuse those who have preceded you. We will miss you, Art.

Remigo G. Lacsamana, M.D.

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All Too Well

Please convey to Mr. Buchwald that I grew up reading his wonderful columns and wish him nothing but the best. In the 1990's we spent some time taking my father to dialysis, so I understand what Mr. Buchwald is saying about dialysis all too well.

Sally Henning
North Canton, Ohio
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Cue the Rimshot

He is one of my heroes. As a newspaper carrier for the Washington Post in 1967, I used to sit under the streetlight at 4 AM and cackle away while reading his latest column. I was in the fifth grade.

Any visit overseas was an opportunity for me to catch the latest Buchwald column in the International Herald Tribune. Whether in London, Paris or Sydney, I always looked forward to a cup of coffee with Art.

It's been 24 years since I started writing a weekly travel column for the Anchorage Daily News here in Anchorage, Alaska (www.adn.com/life/travel). Sometimes people tell my wife they think I'm so FUNNY! I think she forgets to tell me the last part. You know: funny LOOKING!

Anyway, Art Buchwald always has been an inspiration to me. I like to tell folks that I got my start in journalism back at the Washington Post with Buchwald. That always gets their attention. Then, sometimes I add, "when I was a paperboy." If Buchwald was nearby, I'm sure he would cue the rimshot.

Scott McMurren
Alaska Travelgram
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During Vietnam

During the height of the Vietnam War, 1968 - 1969, Mr. Buchwald gave a speech at The Citadel in Charleston, S.C. The Corp was at a low point, with alumni deaths and echo taps a near daily event. We were the outcasts in a world where protesters were heroes and soldiers just got shot. Pretty sad time.

I'd never heard of Art Buchwald before his speech. But, he did something not too many could do: he made us laugh. He warned us not to take life to seriously, even during war. He related a few anecdotes from his adventures in the military that rang as true in 1945 & 1969 as today. I left his talk feeling as if I had met a good friend. After all these years, I've never formally met Mr. Buchwald and now I think I'm losing and old buddy. Thanks Sir.

William A. Byrd, P.E., C.S.
Columbia, S.C.
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A Drink with the "Funny Man"

I just read your piece and it was terrific. I had a broadcasting career and met him in Watertown, New York, years ago. He was there for a speech and we had a drink. I expected him to be a "funny man" doing a stand up monologue. He wasn't.

He was instead an interesting, very amusing man who made the few of us sitting with him feel very special. He seemed to be as interested in us as much as we were in him.

Thank you for your piece. I feel dropping you this note is my paying respect to a great writer and a truly "good man."

William Walker

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A Long-time Fan

Art's column brought so much pleasure to me -- especially while a student in Paris reading him in the International Herald Tribune in the early 70s. Please convey thanks and affection from another one of his innumerable grateful readers and fans.

Jerilyn Goodman
Press Secretary
Office of Rep. Tammy Baldwin (WI-02)
Madison, WI

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Cigar Smuggling, Typical

Thank you for your wonderful article about Art Buchwald. I just read it with tears in my eyes.

I've never met Art but I went to summer (sailing) camp with Joel Buchwald in the Bahamas in 1968. I still remember helping Joel to carefully open and reseal boxes of Jamaican cigars, which we had filled with Havanas (which Art could no longer get in the U.S.).

Art sent Joel to camp with money to buy his favorite cigars and meticulous instructions on how to carefully open the Jamaican box with a razor blade and then re-seal the cellophane so that the Havanas could get through Customs undiscovered. We were totally impressed with the derring-do of this project and half expected to get nicked at Customs coming back to New York, but the Havanas made it.

Even at 13 yrs. old I was a fan of Art Buchwald and I remain so nearly 40 years later ... this escapade seems so in character ... I think of it often when I think of him.

I wonder if he or Joel remembers this story: if there's any way you can pass it on to them I'd appreciate it. They truly "broke the mold" with Art Buchwald. I know I and many others will miss him so much, and I thank him for the gift of all his great writing, and the wisdom of his thoughts and insights you described in your article.

Jonathan Cole
Arlington, VA

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Belated Commencement Speaker

I attended the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA, class of 1973. In Jan. or Feb. of that year, the senior class took a poll as to commencement speaker. First was Father Dan Berrigan, the war protester whose brother Phil had attended Holy Cross. Second was Russell Baker of the New York Times. Third was Art Buchwald. For some reason the story was picked up on the national wires and given some attention.

Art wrote a column claiming that Russell Baker had cheated and that Art was deserving of the honor. It was very well done.

The next year, the senior class voted for Art to be the commencement speaker. He agreed, but on one condition. The condition was that his honorarium be donated to the school for a scholarship to help a student who had failed and had wanted a second chance.

Nice man.

John J. Sullivan
Indianapolis
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Every Column a Gem

I have enjoyed every newspaper column writing by Art for nearly my entire reading life. Now, I am thoroughly amazed that this article continues to show the courage of this fine gentleman. I agree with his perspective that life should naturally fade out and to accept and welcome the next step with curiosity. No need to avoid the natural. I wish the best for Mr. Buchwald and his family and I envy the fact he may be leaving before me.

Jim Kane

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God Bless

Art Buchwald has filled the lives of millions with his, zany, sage, interpretations of our greatest happenings. I cannot thank him enough for his contributions to my life personally, with regard to 'extra happiness.' Thank You Art, God Bless and keep you.

Dave Coriaty