Best-Selling Author Jeffrey Zaslow Killed in Car Accident
- Posted on February 10, 2012 at 10:23pm by
Tiffany Gabbay
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DETROIT (AP) — Best-selling author Jeffrey Zaslow was killed Friday when he lost control of his car on a snowy road after promoting his latest book in northern Michigan. He was 53.
Zaslow, co-author of the million-selling book “The Last Lecture,” was also a former columnist for The Wall Street Journal and former advice columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times. Zaslow, who had an affinity for stories of heroism and resilience, worked on memoirs of U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and airline pilot Capt. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger.
“Jeff was a beautiful writer, wonderful collaborator, loving husband, father and friend,” Sullenberger, who was praised for his skill after safely ditching a plane in the Hudson River in 2009, said in a written statement Friday. “Our whole family loved him dearly and he will be sorely missed.”
Zaslow was killed in an accident Friday morning in Warner Township, about 160 miles northwest of Lansing, according to the Antrim County sheriff’s office. Zaslow’s car slid into the path of a semitrailer. He was killed on impact.
The sheriff’s department did not release the name of the victim, but literary agent and friend Gary Morris confirmed Zaslow’s death. Morris said he was told of Zaslow‘s death Friday evening by the author’s wife.
Zaslow was in northern Michigan speaking about “The Magic Room: A Story About the Love We Wish for Our Daughters.” The book, based on a Michigan bridal shop, was published in December.
“His great talent was to find stories that had heart that people could relate to,” Morris said.
MyFoxDetroit brings us a report:
Author Jeff Zaslow Dies at Age 53: MyFoxDETROIT.com
Morris said Zaslow’s first book was based on a 2007 column he wrote for The Wall Street Journal. “The Last Lecture” was published in 2008 and has been translated into 40 languages. It was inspired by Carnegie Mellon University professor Randy Pausch’s “last lecture” of his life’s lessons. Pausch died in 2008 of pancreatic cancer.
“He was the most industrious and hardest working author I know,” Morris said. “He never turned anything in late. He turned in the cleanest copy. It really was ethics. He was completely selfless in the writing of his own books and collaborations with others.”
Zaslow was a writer for The Wall Street Journal when he was selected by the Sun-Times in 1987 to write a column to replace Ann Landers. Zaslow and Diane Crowley, daughter of the original Ann Landers, wrote side-by-side columns. Zaslow wrote the column, called “All That Zazz,” until 2001.
Zaslow, a native of Philadelphia, lived in the Detroit area. He is survived by his wife, Sherry, and three daughters, Alex, Eden and Jordan.
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krisdwashnh
Posted on February 12, 2012 at 5:24pm@Mikee1 why would you write such a hateful thing? It doesn’t matter what any of us are in the eyes of God….
Report Post »mikee1
Posted on February 12, 2012 at 6:26amWas this LIBERAL DRUNK?
Report Post »Firefighter26
Posted on February 11, 2012 at 12:23pmJeff often helped guide me in my early days as a wire service reporter in Chicago in the mid-1980s even though we were competitors. In the tough world of Chicago journalism, Jeff stood out as a decent man and kind teacher. I can‘t believe he’s gone. People like Zazz are supposed to live forever. My heart and prayers go out to his wife, family and all who knew him.
Report Post »Jenny Lind
Posted on February 11, 2012 at 11:25amGood man, able to put into words what so many can’t, and do it well. Condolences to his family, the world has lost a true writer.
Report Post »Clint Johnson
Posted on February 11, 2012 at 10:55amJeff was one of the best non-fiction writers in the business.
Report Post »Persimmon Knob
Posted on February 11, 2012 at 10:14amFollowed “Zas” when he wrote for the Sun-Times in Chicago. Liked his stuff there but lost track of him when he moved to the WSJ and we moved after our retirement.
Report Post »This loss will be felt by many, for many years.
R.I.P. Mr Zaslow, you were one of the ‘good’uns”.
gunslingerpatriot
Posted on February 11, 2012 at 9:13amRIP Jefferey Zaslow, my prayers go out to your family and may your work never be forgotten.
By the way–Say hello to Randy for us, he’s been an inspiration to several of my patients that have been facing cancer.
Report Post »tiredofprogressives
Posted on February 11, 2012 at 3:07amNever heard of this guy. Who cares. Norman Ladlow died last week when he died in a car crash. Do you know Norman? He is a guy who lived down the street from me. Point is who cares about Jeffrey Lazlow? He worked for the WSJ but who cares.
Report Post »COFemale
Posted on February 11, 2012 at 1:29pmNever heard of him either, but that does warrant disrespect that which is coming from you. There is a lot of people who die that I don’t know personally or maybe never heard of, but out of respect I convey my condolences.
May Jeffrey and your neighbor Norman both rest in peace. Now see how easy that was?
I can see your neighbors commenting at your funeral or maybe your obit will read: That “TiredofProgressives” was such a hateful dude, I am so glad he isn’t walking this earth any longer. He couldn’t even say anything nice about Norman, his neighbor for a number of years, when he died.
Report Post »mickie4
Posted on February 11, 2012 at 3:55pmDid you get up on the wrong side of the bed or are you always this misarible?
Report Post »@leftfighter
Posted on February 11, 2012 at 12:48amI guess you could say I know him by reputation (though I didn’t know his name) through his books. Last Lecture, specifically, was supposed to be outstanding.
Prayers to the family and friends. :-(
Report Post »lockedandloadedinSA
Posted on February 10, 2012 at 11:57pmI am an avid reader. Though I have never read anything he has written, it doesn‘t mean I won’t, when someone like this passes it its a loss for all of us.
Report Post »SweetTexasTea
Posted on February 10, 2012 at 11:14pmI loved this man’s writing,condolences to his family and may you rest in peace Mr. Zaslow. I’m hoping you meet up with Mr. Pausch in heaven.
Report Post »Collbuzz
Posted on February 10, 2012 at 11:12pmMy prayers to God to his family for peace in this troubled time.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on February 10, 2012 at 10:56pmSo sad .. I know the roads in that area and because of budget cuts many are not being cleared or salted and sanded like they should be. R.I.P.
My condolences to the family.
Report Post »MrMagoo
Posted on February 10, 2012 at 10:43pmNever heard of him.But I like this quote..
“Here‘s what we’ll do. We’re going to keep you at the end of our fishing line. And if you ever need anything, you just give a little tug and we’ll reel you back in.”
― Jeffrey Zaslow
R.I.P. Mr.Zaslow
Report Post »Wool-Free Vision
Posted on February 10, 2012 at 10:30pmA tragic loss. My heart and prayers go out to his family and friends.
Something tells me that men like Zaslow are rarer than ever in Detroit these days, and hence his loss is all the greater.
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