From Deseret News archives:
Satirist loves art of dying
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 local 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 an interview.
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 from the worlds of media and politics.
"They sit here and we have group therapy," he said. "We talk about everything."
The French ambassador brought a medal from his country; Buchwald wrote his first columns from Paris, about nightlife in the City of Light. The Marine Corps commandant also visited; Buchwald was a Marine during World War II, dropping out of high school at age 17 and joining the corps underaged.
NBC's Tom Brokaw, Kennedy family members and former Washington Post executive editor Ben Bradlee also have visited, as did some former and current members of Congress. Buchwald's three children and five grandchildren visit several times a day, he said. His wife, Ann, died in 1994.
"I'm going out the way very few people do," Buchwald said in a strong voice.
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. That would have meant being hooked up to a machine three times a week, five hours each time, he said.
"I just decided 'To hell with it,"' said Buchwald, seemingly at peace with his imminent fate. "I haven't been afraid to die. I'd had a wonderful life. I'm 80 years old, so I'm not afraid."
Getting to that point wasn't easy by any means.
"Your loved ones don't like the idea," he said. "Your friends don't like the idea. No one likes the idea, but once I made it, everyone knew it was my choice. They've gone along with it.
"It was purely a decision about 'Did I want to stay around or did I want to go?"' Buchwald said. "It's one of the few things where you have choice."
