I am deeply saddened to hear of the sudden passing of one of the greatest journalists of our time Tim Russert. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family, the broadcast and political communities, as well as the city of Buffalo, NY.

I wanted to write this blog immediately upon hearing the news on Friday but the shock was too much. It’s still difficult to adequately express how much I truly admired this man both professionally and personally. He was someone I looked up to and aspired to be like. I have lived in Rochester for the last 17 years but spent my first 18 years in my hometown of Buffalo. Tim was our local boy who done good. But we didn’t love the fact that here was a guy from our little community who became famous but rather we loved him for the reason he grew to fame. He did it the right way, with class and professionalism.

Ever notice that when someone dies revisionist history kicks in? For example, longtime Buffalo Mayor Jimmy Griffin passed 2 weeks ago. To put it politely, he was an ass. One whom the city loved, but an ass nonetheless. In death the man suddenly became the saint he never was in life. This is not the case with Russert. Tim was a man universally respected by his peers in the news industry and by the politicians he covered. He will be greatly missed.

Here are some of the words of his peers:

• President George W. Bush hailed Russert as “an institution in both news and politics for more than two decades.” “Tim was a tough and hardworking newsman,” Bush said in a statement issued by the White House. “He was always well- informed and thorough in his interviews. And he was as gregarious off the set as he was prepared on it.”
  President Bush interrupted a news conference in Paris on Saturday to pay tribute to Russert, saying the world had “lost a really fine American.”
  “Tim Russert loved his country, he loved his family and he loved his job a lot and we’re going to miss him,” the president said.

• Walter Cronkite said, “Tim Russert was a giant in our field—a standard-bearer of journalistic integrity and ethics. His masterful interviews and round-table discussions are legendary. This is a tragic loss for journalism and for all who were privileged to know him,”

• “He was a kid from the neighborhood who never forgot his roots and continually made us proud,” said U.S. Rep. Brian Higgins, also South Buffalo-born.

• “He was, in every way, Mr. Buffalo,” said Sen. Charles Schumer. “Even when he was interviewing presidents and heads of state, western New Yorkers knew that his blue-collar Buffalo sensibility guided him throughout.”

• Canisius High School in Buffalo released the following statement: “Tim uniquely represented the Jesuit ideals instilled in the Canisius student. His honesty and integrity earned him the unqualified respect of his colleagues and our nation. Tim embodied the qualities of the son, brother, husband, father, and uncle that made him the extraordinary human being and Catholic that he was. A faithful, loyal, committed and generous man, Mr. Russert was unquestionably our most accomplished and conspicuous alumnus in 138 years. May the Angels lead him into paradise; may the martyrs come to welcome him, and take him to the new and holy city, the new and eternal Jerusalem.”

This entry was posted on Saturday, June 14th, 2008 at 12:07 pm and is filed under obits. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.