Remembering Roger Simon: A Legacy of Journalism and Wit

Roger Simon was renowned for his sharp wit and keen insight into humanity. Among his peers, he was one of the most respected newspaper columnists in a time rich with talented writers. His colleague Robert Feder remarked, “Roger was a Chicago original.” Simon’s career stood out, especially as he faced health challenges later in life, never losing his zest for life.

Simon passed away at the MedStar Washington Hospital Center. He was 78. His wife of nearly 50 years, Marcia Kramer, confirmed his death due to pneumonia after a period of illness. Simon and Kramer met at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where Simon was deeply rooted in the South Shore neighborhood, born on March 29, 1948, as one of three children. He attended local schools before earning a bachelor’s degree in English in 1970. During college, he was actively involved with the university’s newspaper, the Daily Illini, where Kramer also worked.

Starting his career at the City News Bureau in Chicago, Simon’s first reporting job was with the News-Sun in Waukegan. He later joined the Chicago Sun-Times, thanks to Jim Hoge and facilitated by their former university newspaper editor Roger Ebert. Simon transitioned from investigative reporting to becoming a columnist in 1975. His work covered various topics, from high-profile cases to everyday stories, advocating on issues like spousal abuse and human rights. He published “Simon Says: The Best of Roger Simon” in 1986, which included 100 columns filled with humor and reflections on life.

Simon received multiple accolades, including the American Society of Newspaper Editors distinguished writing award for commentary, National Headliner Awards, and the American Bar Association Silver Gavel Awards. He was inducted into the Chicago Journalism Hall of Fame in 1999. Feder noted, “Early on, his sharp wit and humorous insight endeared him to Sun-Times readers.”

Simon and Kramer married in 1977, living in a condominium with a lake view, hosting lively dinner parties, and traveling often. When Rupert Murdoch acquired the Sun-Times in 1984, Kramer moved to The Washington Post, and Simon later joined The Baltimore Sun as a columnist until 1995. He also worked for U.S. News & World Report and as the White House correspondent for the Tribune, famously covering the Monica Lewinsky scandal. In 2006, he joined Bloomberg News and then Politico as the chief political columnist.

In 2009, Simon faced a severe health crisis, misdiagnosed as the flu, which led to a life-threatening case of septicemia. His condition necessitated an induced coma and led to the amputation of his legs below the knee. Describing his resilience, his friend and former Tribune reporter David Axelrod helped arrange an exclusive interview with President Barack Obama, restoring Simon’s spirit and career. Over time, he mastered walking with prosthetic legs without a cane.

Roger Simon’s passing left an indelible mark. Tributes from colleagues such as Rick Pearson and Feder highlighted his integrity and contribution to journalism. His longstanding friend Dan Balz shared, “Roger was the best of the best — a brilliant reporter, columnist and author.” Axelrod recalled Simon’s Chicago influence and journalism’s power to evoke emotions and thought.

When Simon retired in 2017, he wrote about leaving with satisfaction and voluntary choice. Besides his wife, Simon is survived by his sister, Lynne Copp, and was preceded in death by his brother, Barry Simon. A private service will be held in Chicago, with a celebration of his life in Washington, D.C.