Mr. Harvey was a long-time friend of Billy Graham and his team. “Paul Harvey, the radio commentator, has probably been my best friend in the American media,” Mr. Graham said in his autobiography.
“He has always been very supportive of us and often keeps his many listeners informed about our work. We have been guests in his home many times, with this delightful wife, Angel.”
On Mr. Graham’s 90th birthday celebration last Nov. 13, Mr. Harvey was seated at the head table.
Cliff Barrows noted on his Twitter feed Saturday: “Sad at loss of friend, Paul Harvey. Grateful for memories Bill & team have of him. His hope of heaven & reunion with wife, Angel is sure.”
According to an ABC Radio Networks spokesman, Mr. Harvey died surrounded by family in a Phoenix hospital.
Former President George W. Bush issued this statement: “Laura and I are saddened by the death of Paul Harvey. Paul was a friendly and familiar voice in the lives of millions of Americans. His commentary entertained, enlightened, and informed. Laura and I are pleased to have known this fine man, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”
Mr. Harvey was known for dressing formally – in shirt, coat and tie – as if going to work as the president of a bank. “It is all about discipline,” Harvey told the Chicago Tribune in 2002. “I could go to work in my pajamas, but long ago I got some advice from the man who was the engineer for my friend Billy Graham’s radio show. He said that one has to prepare in all ways for the show. If you don’t do that in every area, you’ll lose your edge.”
The Washington Post reported that Harvey descended from five generations of Reformed Church ministers. He once wondered if he perhaps inherited “an overdose of righteousness.” The pulpit “is a responsibility infinitely higher than any I aspire to,” he told the Post. But his church heritage had a strong impact on Harvey’s journalism: “I can’t separate goodness and badness from any day’s news and make sense of it.”
