Columnist Robert Novak dies at 78 from malignant brain tumor

Last summer I reported that Robert Novak (pictured), reknowned conservative columnist, was diagnosed with a brain tumor. The tumor was discovered after an investigation into why Novak struck a pedestrian while driving in Washington and then failed to remember that he had done so. The Chicago Sun-Times now reports that Novak passed away at 4:30 a.m. today. He had been hospitalized between July 10 and July 24. Novak’s malignant brain tumor, the specific histologic diagnosis of which has not been reported in the press, was discovered July 27, 2008. (Thanks to Dr. Doug " Scout" Shevlin for alerting me to this story.)