How did his father influence shape Simon?

Simon has some terrific and not so terrific memories of his father. How has the man's influence shaped Simon?

Ernest Simon taught his son how not to be. Scott Simon stayed away from troubled waters and addictions, made as much of himself as opportunity presented, honored his mother and carried this sense of honor and compassion over to his own family and work. Scott Simon relied on himself alone to make and carry out his success. And in this life that's all it ever boils down to: what did you do with what you had.

I agree with the above comment. I also think that having the father that he had made him closer to his mother and a better father to his own children.

His father was an example of what happens where you are NOT a better father, and both helped Simon be a better father, and increased his likelihood of being that much closer to his mother while growing up. His was certainly not an ideal or model childhood.

I agree with the above comments - but I think it is also interesting to look at the impact of the other men in Patricia's life on Scott. They were diverse, and Scott seems to take lessons from most of them both as individuals and as men in relationship. Not all of his male role models were as bad as his father was.

Simon only had his father for sixteen years. Although his father ultimately drank himself to death, Simon also acknowledges that he was funny, sweet-natured, playful, rascally, and kind. Simon also had great respect for his mother's decision to leave that marriage for the sake of her child. I think that experience gave Simon appreciation for the sane and steady relationships he witnessed later in life. He understood then what "bad" looked like.

I am a huge fan of Simon's NPR program and believe that got his showmanship and sense of humor from his father. Although Patricia had a terrific wit I think he likely developed a capacity for compassion and a keen interest in the world at large at his mother's knee.

Killable expressed my thoughts very well: The father was "funny, sweet-natured, playful, rascally & kind". This father who was a drunk could have been so very different where all those qualities would have been obliterated. Maybe Pat's leaving allowed some of the nicer characteristics to be seen. I think the other men in Scott's life had a positive impact on him. Pat's openness about relationships is admirable.