It was some distance from the Midwest (Honolulu) where I openeda daily newspaper recently and learned of the death of Herman Kogan:Chicago newspaperman, editor, author and friend extraordinaire.
I trust I speak for others who remember Herman as a man whonurtured young writers (especially those of the Chicago persuasion)and saw to it they somehow stayed alive and in print until that timewhen, hopefully, they could live by their words.
He published the first Chicago piece I ever wrote, "From Centralto Harlem, A Little Bit of Bohemia," in the Panorama section of theold Chicago Daily News, March 6, 1965. A piece that would becomepart of my book, Neighborhood.
He loved the Chicago setting, especially the ethnic neighborhoodexperience conveyed through the art of story. Listening to Kogan'sgrasp of Chicago's literary history, every aspiring writer knew whatwas expected of him, if he were to survive.
Kogan understood the ups and downs of every writer's life andinvariably ended phone calls, notes and conversation with one word ofadvice: "Onward!" Which is about the best advice any writer shouldever heed.
May he always be remembered by that particular brand of Chicagowriting he encouraged. Onward! Norbert Blei, Eillison Bay, Wis.
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