Paul Harvey passed yesterday in Phoenix at 90 years of age.

If you lived here in America, you probably had listened and enjoyed Paul Harvey’s news or The Rest of the Story on the radio.

His appeal truly extended generations. When I was teaching 8th grade, I would read his Rest of the Stories (which happen to be written by his son, Paul Jr.) on Fridays. The kids loved them. Shortly after reading a couple of them, it never failed that one would blurt, “Hey, my Dad listens to him on the radio!”

Interestingly, the books I had that contained his stories were always being taken to be read by the students. When Friday would approach, one of the students who had read the book would say, “Read the one about … ” If you know anything about an 8th grade classroom, seldom would you see 25 or 30 14 year olds so intently listening as you would when I read these to them. Even more so, these kids would look forward each afternoon to hearing Harvey on the radio, in the cars with their parents, tell the stories in his wonderful voice and unique style.

I was watching an interview with him on Larry King tonight. It first aired in 2003. He shared a great number of insights and stories from his life. At the time of the interview, he was 84. He expressed his disdain for technology. When asked what his favorite rest of the story was, he answered the one on the birth of his son. He shared about his belief in God and his decision to be baptized after hearing a preacher in a small church in Cave Creek, Arizona. He lived in Phoenix during the winter months and Chicago the rest of the year. He called these two cities the most beautiful places in the world.

Harvey noted that this world had become an uglier place in his life time. I am afraid his perspective, gained over the last 90 years, is closer to the truth. And with his passing, we lose a most inspiring man who truly made the world a better one while here.