Novak a man of loyalty and integrity

N ot long ago, a very good boyhood friend of mine, Robert Novak, the eminent political analyst and writer died. Our friendship went back almost 70 years. I last saw him a little over a year ago, just before he was diagnosed with brain cancer.

I first met Bob when I had moved into Briargate subdivision. He was the only son of Jane and Maurice Novak. Maurice was the assistant superintendent of the gas company. Jane's family (Sanders) had a tire store on Jefferson Street. We affectionately called her "Aunt Jane."

When we were in high school, his father would drive us to school. Practically every morning Bob would bring up a subject for discussion. He was a contrarian and would take the opposite side just to be contentious. Although our arguments were usually intense shouting matches, they were never threatening to our friendship. With Bob it was all about polemics.

In high school he became a sports writer for our high school paper and the Joliet Herald-News. Bob Laraway, editor of the paper, was his mentor. Bob was given the nickname "Arch," after Arch Ward, the famous sports writer of the Chicago Tribune.

In 1948, we both matriculated at the University of Illinois. He and his family were instrumental in me going there. He joined the student newspaper, The Daily Illini as a sports writer. When I won the Big 10 fencing championship, he wrote an article about me For The Herald-News. In his senior year, he was slated to become the sports editor of the Daily Illini. He was not selected and was devastated.

After graduation in 1952, we both went into the Army. After the Army, he worked for The Associated Press covering the Nebraska Legislature, followed by a short stint in Indianapolis. He then landed a job with The Wall Street Journal in Washington.

His career took a big leap when he was asked to team up with Rowland Evans, an established Washington political columnist. Evans was an experienced pundit who had a blue blood New England pedigree. Novak was from a hick town in the Midwest. They seemed like the odd couple, but their column, The Evans-Novak Report, became very popular. During this period, Bob got to know most of the important politicians in Washington. His popularity grew and he appeared on a number of TV programs including Crossfire, and The Capital Gang. He became an icon of the right wing.

Bob on occasion interviewed then-Sen. Lyndon Johnson. A very pretty Texas lass named Geraldine Williams was working for Johnson as his personal assistant. Romance blossomed between Bob and Geraldine.

Vice President Johnson and Lady Bird hosted Bob and Geraldine's wedding in 1962. Aunt Jane would come over to show my mother the correspondence with Lady Bird about the arrangements, then later the wedding pictures taken with the Johnsons.

Through the years, I would occasionally go to Washington and stop in to see Bob. He would invite me out to dinner and invariably some senator or other dignitary would come up to the table and talk with Bob to curry favor with him.

I admired Bob for many reasons. With his fame and fortune, Bob could have become supercilious, arrogant and aloof, but he remained true to himself. Qualities I admired most about him were his loyalty, integrity and humility. He was scrupulously honest and a man you could rely on and trust. His word was his bond.

Bob achieved fame and fortune but never forgot his roots. He never cut himself off from his friends. He was willing to support any good cause. In addition to $100,000 he gave to our high school, he gave the University of Illinois $1.8 million endowing a chair in Western Civilization and Culture. He was also a benefactor to the University of Maryland, his surrogate alma mater.

He wanted to maintain connections with all those with whom he had friendly ties. He would attend high school class reunions as Bob Novak, sports reporter for the school paper. When he went to Homecoming at the U. of I., he gave talks emphasizing the skills and lessons he learned there.

I always felt at ease calling him and saying, "Bob, I'm coming to Washington with some friends who would like to meet you. Can we have lunch or dinner together?" He was always cordial and accommodating.

Arch, we re going to miss you a lot. They just don't make 'em like you anymore. Wherever you are, keep pounding that typewriter with those two fingers.

Vincent D'Orazio is a resident of Racine, Wis.