By AP/KWMU
Springfield, Ill – Paul Simon, the bow-tie-wearing missionary's son who rose from crusading newspaper owner to U-S senator and presidential aspirant, died Tuesday. He was 75 years old.
According to a statement from Southern Illinois University, Simon was surrounded by family members at St. John's Hospital in Springfield when he died.
Simon had a single bypass and heart valve surgery at the hospital's Prairie Heart Institute Monday. In January 1999, Simon underwent coronary artery bypass surgery.
The Southern Illinois Democrat's political career began with his election to the state Legislature in 1954. It culminated with his election to the U.S. Senate in 1984. He retired from Congress in 1997.
Simon started a public policy institute at SIU after his retirement.
In addition to his wife, survivors include a daughter, a son, and a stepdaughter.