Sad to see that the legendary TV producer and liberal activist Norman Lear has passed away at the age of 101.
You’ll see lots of terrific tributes today from those who knew him well and worked with him — here’s Rob Reiner, for instance — but I wanted to share my own small story about him.
Back in April 2015, I was doing a few public events to promote my second book, One Nation Under God: How Corporate America Invented Christian America. Somehow, the book caught the attention of Karenna Gore (Al Gore’s daughter), when she was on the faculty at Union Theological Seminary, and she invited me to come up and give a talk.
It was a very nice event, but like some of these, a bit sparsely attended, with only 50 or so people there. But, my hosts told me, they were going to livecast the talk on their website, so maybe some other people might see it? Sure, OK.
Well, it turns out one of the people watching was Norman Lear. And, amazingly, he sent me an email:
After I stopped hyperventilating (and triple checked the email address to be sure it was real), I sent him back this reply:
I could’ve gone on for a lot longer, but I was worried he’d seek a restraining order.
We exchanged signed copies of our books — “To Kevin Kruse, and new friends!” he wrote in his 90s — and a few emails, but that was pretty much it.
But it was enough to know that the accolades you’ll be hearing all week about him, that he was smart, and sweet, and sharp, all at once, well, that’s all true.
RIP.
As the poet said, don't be sad because it's over; be happy because it happened. What a life he led, and what a great moment for you!
Kevin, I can just imagine your reaction to receiving that email from him, and I loved your response, especially about the specific ways you used his work with your students. Thanks so much for sharing this story.