Former ‘60 Minutes’ Andy Rooney dies

[GAP]

Former ‘60 Minutes’ Andy Rooney dies
Article Link

David Bauder Associated Press

NEW YORK—Andy Rooney so dreaded the day he had to end his signature “60 Minutes” commentaries about life’s large and small absurdities that he kept going until he was 92 years old.

Even then, he said he wasn’t retiring. Writers never retire. But his life after the end of “A Few Minutes With Andy Rooney” was short: He died Friday night, according to CBS, only a month after delivering his 1,097th and final televised commentary.

Rooney had gone to the hospital for an undisclosed surgery, but major complications developed and he never recovered.

“Andy always said he wanted to work until the day he died, and he managed to do it, save the last few weeks in the hospital,” said his “60 Minutes” colleague, correspondent Steve Kroft.

Rooney talked on “60 Minutes” about what was in the news, and his opinions occasionally got him in trouble. But he was just as likely to discuss the old clothes in his closet, why air travel had become unpleasant and why banks needed to have important-sounding names.

Rooney won one of his four Emmy Awards for a piece on whether there was a real Mrs. Smith who made Mrs. Smith’s Pies. As it turned out, there was no Mrs. Smith.
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[PMedMoe]

He'll be missed.  He was the best part of 60 Minutes. 

 

[Journeyman]

He was a cranky and bitter old man -- sure, he had some bad qualities too. 

I stopped watching 60 Minutes shortly after he retired; he made the show.

 

[Blackadder1916]

He was a cranky and bitter old man -- sure, he had some bad qualities too. 

Decades ago, I caught the Andy Rooney bug.  I was a young man then, but still was entertained and enlightened by his commentaries.  I suppose some of them would be called "rants" today.  Now I am approaching the age he was when I first started to regularly watch his work.  So I guess I have now reached the stage in life when I can be considered a "crotchy old b*stard".  There is a certain satisfaction in that.

Coincidentally, I had his "A Few Minutes with Andy Rooney" on my bedside table last evening and read a bit of it before going to sleep.  It is one of those books that I've had for years and occasionly pick up to pass a few minutes.  Then this morning there was news of his passing.

In the preface to that collection of Sixty Minutes pieces (published in 1981) he wrote:

"It wasn't hard to talk me into putting this book together.  It is unsatisfactory for a writer to have his words said once and disappear forever into thin air.  Seeing our names in print leads to the dream all of us have of immortality.  You can't ask more from something than immortality and money next week."

He won't be here for the money next week, but the immortality is a lock.

 

[jollyjacktar]

Yes, he was the best part of the program and usually hit the nail on the head.  No pun intended, he was indeed a member of a dying breed of reporter.  A reporter in the classic sense, not the hacks we see today. 

 

[Rifleman62]

As a reporter for the Stars and Stripes, he flew several (I forget - four) B-17 missions. He didn't have to.

Read his book years ago.

 

[jollyjacktar]

As a reporter for the Stars and Stripes, he flew several (I forget - four) B-17 missions. He didn't have to.

Read his book years ago.

Seeing as they dropped like flies, that was a set of bollocks he was sporting.

 

[wildman0101]

RIP Andy.
You were one top dog journalist.. Scoty B

 

[GAP]

Written by Andy Rooney , a man who has the gift of saying so much with so few words. 

I've learned.... That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person. 

I've learned.... That when you're in love, it shows. 

I've learned.... That just one person saying to me, 'You've made my day!' makes my day. 
 
I've learned.... That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world. 

I've learned.... That being kind is more important than being right. 
 
I've learned.... That you should never say no to a gift from a child. 

I've learned.... That I can always pray for someone when I don't have the strength to help him in some other way. 

I've learned.... That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with. 

I've learned.... That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand. 

I've learned.... That simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult. 

I've learned.... That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes. 

I've learned... . That we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for. 

I've learned.... That money doesn't buy class. 

I've learned.... That it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular. 

I've learned... That under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved. 

I've learned.... That to ignore the facts does not change the facts. 

I've learned.... That when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you. 

I've learned.... That love, not time, heals all wounds. 

I've learned.... That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am. 

I've learned.... That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile. 

I've learned.... That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them. 

I've learned... That life is tough, but I'm tougher. 

I've learned.... That opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss. 

I've learned.... That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere. 

I've learned.... That I wish I could have told my Mom that I love her one more time before she passed away. 

I've learned.... That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them. 

I've learned.... That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks. 

I've learned.... That when your newly born grandchild holds your little finger in his little fist, that you're hooked for life. 
 
I've learned.... That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness, and growth occurs while you're climbing it. 

I've learned .... That the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done. 

To all of you.... Make sure you read all the way down to the last sentence