The father of MSNBC host Keith Olbermann has died in New York City at age 80.

Theodore C. Olbermann was thrust into the nation's health care debate through commentaries made by his son on television.

Keith Olbermann says the former architect died Saturday of complications from colon surgery.

Theodore Olbermann's wife of nearly 60 years, Marie Olbermann, died last year.

Keith Olbermann had talked on his weeknight cable news show about his father's experiences in the hospital and how his family dealt with them. Three weeks ago he talked on TV about how his suffering father had asked to be killed.

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