This morning, a year after he announced on his radio program that he had been diagnosed with Stage 4 terminal lung cancer, talk radio pioneer and titan Rush Limbaugh passed away, at age 70.
His death was announced on his program by his wife, Kathryn.
With remarkable composure, she said sadly:
“I know that I am most certainly not the Limbaugh that you tuned in to listen to today. I, like you, very much wish Rush was behind this golden microphone right now, welcoming you to another exceptional three hours of broadcasting. For over 32 years, Rush has cherished you, loyal audience, and always looked forward to every single show. It is with profound sadness I must share with you directly that our beloved Rush, my wonderful husband, passed away this morning due to complications from lung cancer.”
In the year since his diagnosis, Rush received some experimental treatment every other week. After he recuperated from the treatment, he would return to his golden EIB microphone the next week.
Rush had been absent from his radio show for more than two weeks, and I knew what his absence meant. Though Kathryn’s announcement was not surprising, I am absolutely devastated.
I began listening to Rush almost since the beginning, when his show broke out from Sacramento, CA, to syndication. Like his millions of listeners, I found him to be articulate, intelligent, funny, informative, with a remarkable ability to communicate complex ideas to the everyman. In the last few years, Rush no longer did jokes, but his political insights and judgment remained penetrating, unparalleled among all conservative radio talkers. He also became more explicit about his Christian faith.
Rush was a great patriot who loved America and Americans, and his love was returned fully by his tens of millions of listeners.
Rush was not just the voice of American conservatism, he was the heart.
Today, the light of America is dimmed.
My only consolation is that I know he will continue to fight for us and for the good, having joined the army of the Church Triumphant in Heaven.
~E