R.I.P. Tim Russert: A Class-Act Journalist, Father, Husband, Son, and Child of God

As I'm sure many of you have found out by now, the legendary and longest host of the longest-running show on TV "Meet the Press", Tim Russert died suddenly and unexpectedly of a heart attack yesterday afternoon. I don't often write obituaries or much personal thoughts on famous people who have died. But I felt the urge in my heart to break that pattern with the shocking passing of Tim Russert. As a long time fan of journalism with a deep passion for politics, Tim Russert's work actually meant a lot to me. I do not know yet if I want to be involved in political journalism. But if I ever were to embark on such a career path, Tim Russert would be my role model. But more than that, Tim Russert is a role model for not just aspiring political journalists or journalists in general, but for any father, husband, son, and man of great personal faith in God. As a loving father and son (and inspiration to fathers and sons everyehere), it is a shame that Tim Russert had to die just two days before Father's Day.

Tim Russert took "Meet the Press"-- then a struggling TV program with a struggling talk show format-- and made it a household name in American politics. He made it the show any serious candidate for President of the United States had to make an appearance. Before Iowa and New Hampshire, there was the "Russert" primary in which any of those candidates had to pass the test of answering Russert's tough, but fair questions. As tough as Russert was interviewing these men and women, all of them never regretted going on Meet the Press. Republicans and Democrats alike had nothing but kind words to say about Russert upon his untimely death. That fact alone shows just how good and fair of a journalist and interviewer Russert really was.

Russert was the model journalist-- civil, but tough; prepared, but not arrogant; passionate yet still serious about politics. Even though he began his career in politics by working for two big names in New York Democratic politics-- Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan and NY Gov. Mario Cuomo-- he was just as tough and respectful toward Republicans as he was toward Democrats. I get the sense often that most political journalists are biased toward one party or the other, but I never felt that way watching Tim Russert interview politicians. Objectivity and fairnss define the model journalist, and it certainly defined the journalistic work of Tim Russert.

Russert's love of politics was almost infectious to those who were around him and to those who watched him on TV. Anybody that knows me knows that I love politics, though I wouldn't call my love of politics infectious. But his passion for politics inspires me to know more about politics, to get a better grasp of the issues of the day and elections and their consequences. But what made Russert's passion for all things political so special to so many Americans is that when he talked about politics, he did it in a way that people who were not political junkies could understand. That's why so many tuned in to watch MTP every Sunday. He knew so much about politics, but he used that knowledge not to boost his ego, but to serve the American People. Russert (paraphrased) said that he when he made up his questions for MTP, he wanted to ask the questions that his father and friends back in Buffalo were asking or ask questions that his son who could be called to fight in Iraq would ask.

That gets back to Russert's preeminent appeal as a man who never forgot his roots in working-class areas of Buffalo, even though he was one of the most respected and influential people in Washington. Russert constantly tried to care for his father (whose wife had recently died), even by coordinating via cell phone from work a group of friends of his father to help out "Big Russ." He loved his father so much. It was a love built on humility and gratefulness for the sacrifices Big Russ had made on behalf of his wife and children. He dedicated a great book (that I want to read now) "Big Russ and Me" to his loving father. From what I've heard, this book by Russert has brought so many fathers and sons together-- to recapture the memories of a ball game, dinners, life lessons all our fathers have taught us. It brought about a great respect for fatherhood, because while he dedicated the book to his father "Big Russ", so many people who bought the book said they wanted this book (and Russert agreed) dedicated to "Big Bob", "Big Mike", "Big Fred." It was a book dedicated to great fathers everywhere across America.

As much as he loved his father, Tim Russert so much loved his son Luke. David Gregory (and I'll paraphrase) said that Russert loved to talk about politics, loved to talk about baseball, but when he talked about Luke or family or his friends' families, he gushed. What we saw on TV was more of the tough interrogator of presidents and senators, but what was really there for so many people who knew him was a man with a huge heart for others, for his church, for his family and those of his colleagues. I heard so many stories that touched my heart of Russert sending hand-written letters to colleagues upon births, weddings, or deaths in their families. It was this kindness that really struck me, even more so than his fantastic journalistic abilities. He was the guy who always checked in on his friends to see how they were doing-- the constant caring companion who reached out so compassionately to those who were friends of his, but probably did not know Russert too well.

Much of this character was driven by his deep personal Catholic faith reared in him by his parents and the Catholic school he attended as a young man. He had a firm belief in God and for him, faith was personal yet also very active. He felt like he was serving God's will by bringing the truth to everybody on Sunday mornings. His Catholic faith was so important to him that he woukld sometimes take time off work to attend Mass. He reportedly attended Mass often, despite his incredibly busy work schedule. He even named his son Luke after the age-old truth Jesus gave in the Gospel of Luke: To whom much is given, much is expected. That is how he saw his role as a person, a journalist, a son, a husband, and a father. He never felt like the world owed him a thing, but instead felt so grateful for all his faith, his parents, his school, his community, and his country had given him. This enriched him with a God-given humility for all the good and bad things in his life. It inspired how he acted as a parent to Luke, as he wrote in the epilogue of "Big Russ and Me" (paraphrase): "You will always, always be lived; but never, never entitled." Isn't that what the kind of love the parent should have for their child? I think so. He wanted the best for his son-- to live his dreams, but never forget what's important (his roots, his faith, his country); to work hard, but never forget to rest and laugh and spend time with those you love; to respect your strengths and weaknesses, but also those of others as much; to enjoy life for all its joys, but also to keep yourself aware of the trials that occur; to be strong enough to have convictions, but to be open-minded enough to respect those of others.

So, my heart-felt prayers go out to the Russert family, the NBC family, and all those who knew him so well, especially on this Father's Day Weekend. Indeed, the Lord has called his good and faithful servant Tim home.

God Bless You and Rest in Peace Tim Russert.