Art Buchwald.

[thedrifter]

Last update: April 04, 2006 – 6:45 PM
Art Buchwald Biographical Details
-NAME: Art Buchwald.

By The Associated Press, Associated Press
-NAME: Art Buchwald.

-AGE-BIRTHDATE: 80; Oct. 20, 1925, in Mount Vernon, N.Y.

-EDUCATION: Quit high school at age 17 to join Marines; attended University of Southern California, 1945-48, where he was managing editor of the college humor magazine but ruled ineligible for a degree after his lack of a high school diploma was discovered.

-EXPERIENCE: Joined Marine Corps underage, served in Pacific theater 1942-45; Paris stringer for Variety magazine late 1940s; Paris columnist for New York Herald Tribune, 1949-52; syndicated columnist for New York Herald Tribune, Los Angeles Times and Tribune Media Services syndicates, 1952-2006; author of more than 30 books; winner of 1982 Pulitzer Prize for outstanding commentary.

-FAMILY: Wife, author Ann McGarry, died in 1994; children Joel, Conchita and Jennifer; five grandchildren.

-QUOTE: "The thing is snowballing and rather than just pretend I don't care, I do care. It's a great way to say goodbye.''

Ellie

[thedrifter]

`It's a great way to say goodbye'
Columnist Buchwald having last laugh even while dying in hospice
DARLENE SUPERVILLE
Associated Press

WASHINGTON - Columnist Art Buchwald is dying and enjoying every minute of it.

Death was expected within weeks of his decision to reject blood-cleansing treatments that could prolong his life, yet he lives on. Neither Buchwald nor his doctors know why, he says.

But it doesn't matter. The Pulitzer Prize-winning political satirist says he's not afraid of death, isn't depressed and is, in fact, having the time of his life. He spends his days writing columns from his room at a hospice and reminiscing with friends from all stages of his storied life who visit daily.

"It's a great way to say goodbye," Buchwald, 80, said.

In his personal version of "Tuesdays with Morrie," the best-seller about an author's weekly conversations with his terminally ill college professor, Buchwald holds court in the salon of his hospice room with family, celebrities and friends.

"They sit here and we have group therapy," he said. "We talk about everything."

Vascular problems led doctors to amputate his right leg below the knee in January. Buchwald said losing it was "very traumatic" and that it probably influenced the decision to reject dialysis for his kidney failure.

"I just decided `To hell with it,' " he said. "I haven't been afraid to die. I'd had a wonderful life. I'm 80 years old, so I'm not afraid."

Buchwald, who has been public about bouts with depression, said he is anything but depressed these days.

"The thing is, when you make your choice, then a lot of the stress is gone," he said. "Everything is great because you accept that you are the one who made the choice."

He said he enjoys the freedom he now has to eat whatever he wants, and his visitors bring plenty of food. "They think because you're dying you should have food," he said.

Waiting for the end, Buchwald said people shouldn't be too concerned about where they will end up in death. What they should really be asking, he said, is "Why was I here in the first place?"

Why does Buchwald think he's been around for 80-plus years?

"Apparently to make people laugh," he said, "which is as good a reason as any."

Ellie