We’re just getting word via Twitter, but we’re saddened to learn that longtime Denver Post columnist Ed Quillen passed away over the weekend. We’ll update soon with more details.
UPDATE: Westword’s Michael Roberts:
For more than a quarter century, Salida’s Ed Quillen has regularly contributed to the editorial pages of the Denver Post, sharing his notably progressive thoughts on issues of the day in a way that raised readers’ cheers and hackles, depending upon their personal ideological slant. But no more: Curtis Hubbard, the Post’s editorial page editor, confirms that Quillen died yesterday of a heart attack.…Quillen wrote for a series of newspapers he edited, including the Middle Park Times in Kremmling (1974-77), the Summit County Journal in Breckenridge (1977-78) and the Mountain Mail in Salida (1978-83). At that point, he began freelancing, with the Post publishing a submission from him in 1984. Toward the end of the next year, Quillen proposed a regular schedule to then-editorial page editor Chuck Green, who took him up on the pitch. Beginning in 1988, Quillen’s takes appeared twice weekly in the Post.
I treasured his anti-establishment, cynical views! Often the only person in the room who really understood what was going on.
Four years younger than me, ouch! Please, cause of death?
so I don’t thing there was some kind of long term illness. Loved his writing.
He had been diagnosed with diabetes within the last couple of years and if I recall correctly had been hospitalized with complications. It may have been something related to that. That’s just speculation, but whatever he will be missed.
Thanks for sharing yourself with us, Ed. Rest in Peace.
My heart goes out to Martha and their daughters.
Ed was witty, thoughtful and took life on head-first. He was a tremendous voice for all of us who don’t live in the Denver metroplex.
Even Ananias Ziegler, I suspect, will miss him.
No kidding.
Who else could Ananias talk with to get an honest and articulate response?
Ed was my favorite Wobbly. One of few remaining in Colorado.
http://www.denverpost.com/head…
A very good, effective writer and columnist.
Thank you, Ed for generously sharing your marvelous talent and insights into today’s world. RIP. You will me missed by your many friends and admirers.
God Bless Ed’s family today and in the sad days ahead.
Ed will be deeply missed in Colorado.
http://www.denverpost.com/quil…
If you see my beautiful brother, give him my love. Today is his birthday, the first since he passed away, also unexpectedly. My family always enjoyed your work. You will be missed by so many. Our hearts are with your family and friends. Reading you felt like visiting an old friend even though we never met.
always wished too. Lived 65 miles from me. Tried to read everything he wrote, really enjoyed Colorado Central.
Never an idealogue, very practical fair minded guy. Talked to him on the phone a few times re mining issues for communities and exchanged encouraging emails when he quit smoking a year ago.
No columnist like him.
that even a non-idealogue attracted so much venom from the right when simply writing from a populist, fairness perspective
I hope the Post will consider publishing a book of his columns along with other non-Post columns so they can be sold to benefit Martha.
Hell- I just send the Mrs $50 and call it good.
They probably own the copyrights under a “work for hire” agreement. They’re starving. I can see a scenario where they say “fuck the family, we own the rights to the work.”
I’m not saying this is right, or even that it’s going to happen.
But the Post? Hell, it could.
http://www.edquillen.com/
Thanks
But just like a musician who leaves their work behind, a writer never really leaves us because their writing lives on.
RIP Ed Quillen
First heard about this on the Pols Diary. Went to the DP website right away and couldn’t find any info.
As I look again (at 1:00 pm), news of Ed’s passing is “below the fold” in the Opinion section.
You think it would be in Breaking News at the top, but I guess “Coach Fox expecting full participation at camp next week” is more important.
No sensitivity to the progressive community.
Westword notes Ed’s passing in a more meaningful way
I exchanged emails with Ed for a period about ten years ago and really enjoyed it. Martha, I know he is your loss, but we will all miss him. I am so saddened by this news. One less reason to read the Post.
I didn’t often see eye to eye with Quillen but he was a voice for his community. All of Colorado will miss him.
When I read the Post on a regular basis, Ed’s column was always a highlight. His witty, sometimes sarcastic way of clarifying an issue was always valued.
Take for example: the deadly white powder, or one of his several columns on pronouncing Colorado place names.
You’ll be missed, Ed.
This is so sad. He could get to the point in a way that left little to attack.
My favorite was the “Committee that ran things”.
So few writers could poke at the Republicans like him.
Colorado Association of Red-bearded Pundits, abbreviated as CARP because, as Ed noted, “That’s what we do.”
I read Colorado Central, every issue, for years — starting when I was, I think, in single digit ages still.
He was a treasure and should be looked on by every political observer as an example. Ed managed to understand the cynical, ugly realities of politics without losing his ability to laugh at them. That’s an impressive feat on its own, but to also write with wit and insight?
We lost one of the best commentators left this weekend.
A friend called me and told me Ed was gone. I was shocked but not surprised. I knew he had high blood sugar and had been in hospital for it. I will miss him terribly. On Sunday mornings, over breakfast,I would start to read aloud and after not more than two paragraphs my partner would ask “Quillen?” “Who else?” was always the answer. I learned more state history from him than from anyone since my 4th grade teacher.He taught me about Glorieta Pass;Colorad’s only involvement in the Civil War. And who will answer Ananais Zeigler’s calls now? But why did I have to open the Post’s web page to see it? I was very disappointed not to see it in their headlines!
If there is a book of his columns, I will shelve it next to Dick Kreck,Gene Amole, and Greg Lopez, and cherish every word.
That is the name of a book of his columns that was published in the ninties. I have a copy, and it is a great read.
But read all his columns.
He reminded me of so many friends and characters in my life….honest, honest and then again, honest.
He was skilfull in so many ways. Creative. Astute. Savvy. Human.
RIP buddy. They have electric typewriters in Heaven, so good luck!
I will miss his writing and his perspective terribly. The Post is now without any redeeming value whatsoever. HIs column was the last worthwhile content standing.
Transform from a werewolf into a writer.
Howl at the keyboard
with its 0s and Os and )s.
Anger and frighten
people afraid
of the power of ink.
Call it a day.
Sleep on a bed of laughter.
R.I.P Ed. You were one the best DP columnists and you will be sorely missed.
…one less reason to read the Post these days…*sigh*.