A sad sad day. Tim Russert, died very suddenly, collapsing in Washington, D.C. while preparing for his Sunday "Meet The Press" program on NBC. He had just turned 58 years old in May of this year.
He was a consummate journalist and he came into my home on many many days and nights over these many years.....He was like a friend in a way, a very comforting friend, though I never met him personally. His skills as an interviewer and as The MSNBC Bureau Chief were extraordinary. What a hole his passing leaves in so very many peoples lives. My heart goes out to his immediate family and to his NBC/MSNBC family, as well. I cannot imagine what a deep loss this is to all of them....I know this is an inconsolable loss for all of them, and oddly enough, for all of us, too.As was said by many of his colleagues, we will not see his like, again.
He was a great family man, too....in a really big big way. He wrote a very touching book about his father that was more than a great tribute to his dear father...it was, in many ways, a very beautiful and inspiring 'American' story. It is what is so great about this country. A man from very humble beginnings can reach the heights in his chosen profession and walk with Presidents, if that is his choice.
He was a man of great great integrity....something in very short supply these days. He will be missed by everyone who knew him and loved him and by the millions of us who were touched by his presence in our homes through the magic of television. Indeed, a great great journalist and a lovely human being is gone, and it makes me incredibly sad......sadder than I could have ever imagined. May God Bless him on his journey.
More To Come......
- had this to say:
I did not know of this gentleman, but he certainly sounds like a true professional and wonderful person. So young too, very sad.
- Saturday, June 14, 2008 at 4:26:00 AM PDT
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had this to say:
I'm sad about it too -- surprisingly so. I was touched yesterday by the length and depth of the many tributes that immediately came out. He was a journalist, so it makes sense that other journalists would create tributes, but it was the sincere sense of loss they conveyed that touched me. They weren't eulogizing a journalist -- they were missing their friend. God speed, Tim.
- Saturday, June 14, 2008 at 8:26:00 AM PDT
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had this to say:
I couldn't believe this when I heard it on a "Breaking News" report here in Pennsylvania yesterday. It was so sad and has touched many people.
Reports are now saying a cholesterol plaque broke off an artery, causing a fatal arrythmia (heart attack). He was gone before he knew it.
It is also sad that his son just graduated but his last memories of his father will be cherished by him because of the trip they took to Italy for his graduation present. What a nice memory to hold about your father's last time with you!
He will be missed by many and much revered.
Anne- Saturday, June 14, 2008 at 11:42:00 AM PDT
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I only watched Meet the Press occasionaly, but his face is very familiar. At the moment I am watching a retrospective of his life on [his show] while also reading some blogs. As Melissa says, I too, am touched by the sincere depth of loss his colleagues are feeling.
- Saturday, June 14, 2008 at 3:49:00 PM PDT
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had this to say:
As you'll see from my blog I did this morning, my grief is right there with yours, Naomi.
I'm still so stunned and saddened when I realize he's truly gone! I truthfully do not know how we'll get through the rest of this election year and election night without the wise wisdom, intelligence and humor of such a special man! My soul is so sad.
Terri
http://www.islandwriter.net- Saturday, June 14, 2008 at 5:02:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
This news is terribly sad, and your post and wonderful tribute make me wish I would've seen more of his work. Good, professional people are hard to come by and this is a great loss, not only to his family, but to many others who knew, loved and respected him as well. My heart goes out to all of them.
- Saturday, June 14, 2008 at 6:33:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
Sure, Naomi, so sad... I have never seen Tim Russert on TV but I know he was a great journalist. Very touching your tribute to him, Naomi!
- Saturday, June 14, 2008 at 6:47:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
It is sad and such a shock. We see these people all the time, hear their analysis on the big events and just find it unreal that they can die like everybody else. He was a good man and will be missed
- Saturday, June 14, 2008 at 6:55:00 PM PDT
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had this to say:
What set him apart was that he was the consummate professional in every way. These are few and far between. Alas, we are left with those individual who are all hair and white teeth and nothing of substance.
He will be missed.- Saturday, June 14, 2008 at 7:16:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
Being in the UK, I had never heard of Tim Russert. But he seems to have been a sad loss to the US community.
What a lovely tribute - we all get so close to those TV faces that come into our houses on a daily or weekly basis.
Rest, Tim - you done good :-)
cq- Sunday, June 15, 2008 at 12:29:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
It is very sad, I have always liked him. I was going to buy the book he wrote about his dad last year but didn't get around to it. I think I will certainly have to buy it now. It is a little scary knowing that he is my age and dying like that. I feel a great sadness for his family.....
- Sunday, June 15, 2008 at 1:48:00 AM PDT
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I didn't know him, Naomi, but from your post he certainly was a great person and professional...sad news ...
- Sunday, June 15, 2008 at 2:19:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
this was very sad..
they say no one goes before their time... but things like this makes you wonder sometimes.- Sunday, June 15, 2008 at 4:13:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Hi Naomi. Thank you for sharing...sad indeed for one so young. The late Mr Tim Russert looked familiar and the name, familiar. A great tribute post.
- Sunday, June 15, 2008 at 5:16:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Being in the UK I am not familiar with Tim or his shows. From your post though it sounds like the world has lost a wonderful person, a great professional jounalist and is that little bit more empty because of it.
I know this has touched you and many others very deeply.- Sunday, June 15, 2008 at 9:33:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
I'd never heard of him, but it still made the news over here. A sad day.
- Sunday, June 15, 2008 at 10:16:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
I read about it this morning, though I didn't know who he was.
- Sunday, June 15, 2008 at 11:27:00 AM PDT
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Wonderful tribute
btw
Naomi,
beleive me when I write:
Sorry, I'm not able to act as I normally do. I still cry. But do my best to return to normal behaviour.
hugs to you
Tor + Anna- Sunday, June 15, 2008 at 2:12:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
I always liked Tim Russert, he was so professional and yet came across as a regular guy who knew a lot about politics. It us a loss for the news media and public
- Sunday, June 15, 2008 at 2:13:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
It is indeed a big loss and a very sad tragedy.
A man of integrity, like you said, who had such a constant love and commitment to his family.
I feel so sad for his wife, son, and his dear father, who I'm sure never expected to outlive his son.
I wish more TV interviewers were like him. He truly did grill people from both parties and did not have an agenda other than to get to the truth about whatever and whomever was before him.
He had honor in his professional life, and his personal life.
God be with his family as they come to terms with their loss.- Sunday, June 15, 2008 at 3:13:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
I knew of him , my mother watched him all the time...she eats, sleeps and breaths american and canadian politics! ...Big loss for sure...sadly, so young...my heart goes out to his family.
- Sunday, June 15, 2008 at 7:44:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
I didn't know him of course but he must be a great loss to many people. And too young to go. We seem to be running out of the good guys.
- Monday, June 16, 2008 at 4:26:00 AM PDT
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had this to say:
Such a terrible loss. I got the feeling he was truly well-liked by everyone in journalism. He will be missed by so many.
- Monday, June 16, 2008 at 6:34:00 AM PDT
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I appreciated his not allowing his show to become a shouting festival and it was not partisan. He seems like he was a wonderful man. How sad for his family.
- Monday, June 16, 2008 at 8:05:00 PM PDT
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had this to say:
Tim Russert's passing is a huge loss to American voters. He was a brilliant journalist and had the gift of making his viewers feel as though they physically present during his interviews.
I am particularly sad that he won't be able to be a part of this election which he was so passionate and excited about.
Tim Russert's love and knowlege of the poltical arena has played an important part in my life. He was always fair in his interviews and equally tough on both Republicans and Democrats. I am sure his passing is an enormous loss to the NBC network.
Did you catch the interview on The Today Show with Tim's son. What an outstanding young man. No wonder his father was so proud of him.- Tuesday, June 17, 2008 at 7:11:00 AM PDT
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had this to say:
I feel like I knew him because he was so likable and reminded me of people I knew. I think he had a similar background as me and was my age. Also, he worked for Democrats before doing his show, which I consider the party of the working class and the underprivileged, so he gets some points for that. Did you watch the PBS special on Eleanor Roosevelt last night? It brought me to tears a few times. What a human being.
- Tuesday, June 17, 2008 at 7:13:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Naomi, I'm a bit of a slack on the comments but I read you every single day. And it was your Russert tribute that inspired me to get back with the blog. You are very special and never fail to comment on my blog. Thank you for that. Hugs, Bud
- Thursday, June 19, 2008 at 2:25:00 AM PDT
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The amount of coverage his death received, the depth of emotion exhibited by those who knew him and those who didn't, spoke volumes of just what a high quality man he was. I always enjoyed his coverage of news events and I believe his "Meet The Press" is what got me so involved in politics. He made it understandable. He did his research and asked intelligent questions, and he didn't let people slide. I couldn't tell which side he was on, because his questions were fair and deep with everyone. I greatly respected him. I do hope his son follows in his footsteps, not necessarily as a broadcast journalist, but with integrity as a man.
- Thursday, June 19, 2008 at 2:33:00 PM PDT
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