Studs Terkel Dies

Louis Terkel arrived here as a child from New York City and in Chicago found not only a new name but a place that perfectly matched--in its energy, its swagger, its charms, its heart--his own personality. They made a perfect and enduring pair.

Author-radio host-actor-activist and Chicago symbol Louis "Studs" Terkel died today at his Chicago home at age 96.

At his bedside was a copy of his latest book, "P.S. Further Thoughts From a Lifetime of Listening," scheduled for a November release.

Beset in recent years by a variety of ailments and the woes of age, which included being virtually deaf, Terkel's health took a turn for the worse when he suffered a fall in his home two weeks ago.

It is hard to imagine a fuller life.

Keep reading Rick Kogan's obituary for Studs Terkel in the Tribune.

Read Huffington Post Chicago blogger Edward Lifson's recent interview with Studs on the 2008 election.

Watch this compilation of Studs discussing work, politics, art and his career (h/t Progress Illinois):

Comments

[HoosierRadical]

Studs you will be missed...now you are with your beloved wife Shirley. Now that you are in heaven, put a word in for Barack & Joe. I love You!!!!!!!!

[Quinncannon]

I always thought Studs could have written a play about Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation
reading by the painter Francis Carpenter and the roots that had to the american dream of liberty for
every man.

[knowBuddhaU]

One whole hour of the legend himself:

http://www.democracynow.org/2007/11/13/legendary_radio_broadcaster_and_oral_historian

[knowBuddhaU]

So long, Studs, I hardly knew ya. There goes a REAL American hero.

[Tinsdale]

Good Bye, Studs.
"Take it easy, but take it ! "

[beastmode]

RIP Studs. The Great War is one of my favorite books of all time. It should be required reading as most of your work should be.

[Einstein44]

I had the pleasure of meeting him twice in Chicago.In 1985,he was the commencement speaker at Northeastern University .In 1992, I had the pleasure to see him at Guild Books,signing the book - RACE:How Blacks and Whites Think & Feel About the American Obsession.

This is the passage he wrote on my book..."Here's to peace,grace and beauty..libertad (liberty) ! Studs Terkel

He was such a gentleman and a scholar.He will sorely be missed.

[uffdacyd]

He showed the world that the most ordinary of people have the most extraordinary stories. I was lucky enough to me him when I was in college. He was always a hero to me.

[RoveRoveRoveYourBoat]

...my hero. This man's daily radio show was the only light in the darkness of 80's reaganism. Thankfully he has seen the threshold of a new liberalism for the country he loved.

[paixa3]

He was, I think, a man with a huge heart, clever mind and great humour. RIP.

[Soundofthunder]

Few men of his stature are humble and gracious as Studs Terkel was. Despite a full life, it's sad that he went before Nov. 4 and missed witnessing the historic election of the first black man ever. We lost another aging giant of our times, Kurt Vonnegut, on April 11, 2007, to a simple act of clumsiness. There is something about the Bush years that push old men from behind to their deaths. I just know it’s true.

SOT

[jackofhearts]

The passing of a truly great American, a champion of the human spirit. The Founding Fathers would've loved the guy.

Take it easy, Studs, but take it--your work made our world a better place.

[ChiGuy]

No had a greater admiration and love for the common man than Studs Terkel, and he documented it beautifully for all to remember.

Not just Chicago, but the whole world, is a little worse off with his passing.

Rest in peace Studs.

[marymansour]

Rest in Peace, Mr. Terkel.

[IowaGirl]

This is sad news. As a grad student, I read his book Working over and over, and it never failed to remind me that any woes I had regarding my studies were nothing compared to the daily lives of most working people in this country. His humanity and curiosity and aesthetic appreciation and way with words were unmatchable. He was a great lover, in the sense of "appreciater," and his shining love of Chicago and Chicagoans was the greatest pr that city has ever had.

Some people just leave a gigantic hole when they disappear. I hope I can get my children to read some of his books because he is one of the finest individuals of the 20th century (and a little beyond).

It is lovely that he got to see a hometown kid make it as far as Obama has.

[munki]

Nicely written...

[M1nkyb0y]

This guy had more common sense in his pinkie than half the country has in total.
He will be missed.