Rob Borsellino
Encyclopedia
Rob Borsellino was a newspaper columnist who worked for the Des Moines RegisterUnited States
, before his death in May 2006. His columns for the Des Moines Register
, which appeared three times weekly, became popular due to Borsellino's colloquial writing style and ability to tell a story straight from the heart. His columns appeared several times in such publications as USA Today
, Chicago Tribune
, and The Washington Post
, and some of his columns were published in the 2005 book So I'm Talkin' To This Guy... (ISBN 1-888223-66-9).
In November 2004, Borsellino was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
(ALS), or Lou Gehrig's Disease. He announced in February 2005 that he had this crippling illness. During his fight against this illness he had considerable community support, and on April 21, 2006, musicians Bob Dylan
and Merle Haggard
traveled to Des Moines to perform a concert in Borsellino's honor, raising over $100,000 for the ALS Association.
Borsellino died in Des Moines on May 27, 2006. He is survived by his wife, Rekha Basu, also a Register columnist; and his sons Raj and Romen.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, before his death in May 2006. His columns for the Des Moines Register
Des Moines Register
The Des Moines Register is the daily morning newspaper of Des Moines, Iowa, in the United States. A separate edition of the Register is sold throughout much of Iowa.-History:...
, which appeared three times weekly, became popular due to Borsellino's colloquial writing style and ability to tell a story straight from the heart. His columns appeared several times in such publications as USA Today
USA Today
USA Today is a national American daily newspaper published by the Gannett Company. It was founded by Al Neuharth. The newspaper vies with The Wall Street Journal for the position of having the widest circulation of any newspaper in the United States, something it previously held since 2003...
, Chicago Tribune
Chicago Tribune
The Chicago Tribune is a major daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, and the flagship publication of the Tribune Company. Formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" , it remains the most read daily newspaper of the Chicago metropolitan area and the Great Lakes region and is...
, and The Washington Post
The Washington Post
The Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest still-existing paper, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation...
, and some of his columns were published in the 2005 book So I'm Talkin' To This Guy... (ISBN 1-888223-66-9).
In November 2004, Borsellino was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis , also referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a form of motor neuron disease caused by the degeneration of upper and lower neurons, located in the ventral horn of the spinal cord and the cortical neurons that provide their efferent input...
(ALS), or Lou Gehrig's Disease. He announced in February 2005 that he had this crippling illness. During his fight against this illness he had considerable community support, and on April 21, 2006, musicians Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
and Merle Haggard
Merle Haggard
Merle Ronald Haggard is an American country music singer, guitarist, fiddler, instrumentalist, and songwriter. Along with Buck Owens, Haggard and his band The Strangers helped create the Bakersfield sound, which is characterized by the unique twang of Fender Telecaster guitars, vocal harmonies,...
traveled to Des Moines to perform a concert in Borsellino's honor, raising over $100,000 for the ALS Association.
Borsellino died in Des Moines on May 27, 2006. He is survived by his wife, Rekha Basu, also a Register columnist; and his sons Raj and Romen.