Tim Russert, 1950-2008

The City of Buffalo lost another icon today when Tim Russert, host of NBC's "Meet the Press" and lifelong booster of the city in which he was raised, died while at work in the NBC studio in Washington, D.C.

The rest of the world was well aware of Russert's love for his hometown, as he ended broadcasts with remarks such as "Go Sabres' and placed his friendly bets on the fate of the Buffalo Bills in several Super Bowls.

The rest of the country will be talking about Tim Russert today for his important role in national politics, for maintaining civility on the media stage, and his unwavering credibility.

But here in Western New York, he will also be remembered as the guy who never forgot where he came from, and never felt he had to apologize for it.

Comments

[Rick Wickson]

Buffalo and the nation has lost one of it's best. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and insight with us Tim. You have left us way too soon.

We will miss you Tim. Godspeed

[Elissa Banas]

I am so very saddened to hear of Tim's death. I was fortunate enough to meet him last year. I have had friends who have interned/worked with him. He was an excellent political analyst and huge advocate of all things Buffalo. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife, son, and his family here in Buffalo.

[Tim Parks]

Yet another blow for Buffalo. Tim Russert represented everything good about Buffalo and was one of our biggest boosters on the national scene. This is a very sad day indeed. May God rest his old Buffalo soul!

[Dan G]

He was the first and only newscaster I've felt a real connection with. He was the pride of the city we shared!

My Sundays will be forever missing Tim.

[John]

I am stunned. Was he a smoker? Did he have previous heart problems? Was this just something that just occurred, prevention be damned.

You worry about everything, and then something like this happens. It does make you think, makes you wonder why we get worked up over everything.

Here's a guy who seemed to love life, his job and all things Buffalo. He even gave the Buffalo Bisons a plug after they beat Richmond to win the 2004 Governor's Cup. Triple AAA baseball on the Today Show!

That's what made Russert so appealing. He will be missed.

[Joseph Harold]

Tim Russert was a great buffalonian. He was enlightened, industrius, courageous, a joy to watch and listen to. The entire nation is going to feel the impact of losing one of our top dogs.

[Charlie Flocco]

While I never had the chance to meet Tim Russert, sharing the same home town and watching him boost Buffalo I can't help but feel like I've lost a member of my family.

My thoughts and prayers go out to his family, both immediate and his larger family in WNY.

[Dave Davies]

Yeah, he was a great Buffalo booster, but as as a journalist he sucked...creating false controversies (see his interview w/ Obama regarding Louis Farrakhan's endorsement), ignoring blantant lies and exaggerations from his interviewees; continually talking over his guests, and generally asking softball questions.

Any death is sad, but will I be disappointed to see him off the air? Absolutely not.

[tom]

Whether you knew him, or not, we all lost a good friend today.

[tired_of_it_all]

Methinks St. Peter has his hands full with Jimmy and needs Timmy up there to keep the old mayor in check. We'll miss ya, Tim.

[daryle holz]

A sad day for anyone who enjoys family, football, politics and Buffalo

[Jay]

What a completely inappropiate and uncalled for comment from the idiot saying Tim was a bad journalist. As a life long Buffalonian who has watched MTP for over 30 years I am DEEPLY offended of your comment and embarrassed that you have chosen this time to take a cheap shot. It is clear where your agenda lies. Rest in peace lil' Rus, Buffalo will miss you greatly as one of our greatest ambassadors.

[Jim Westman]

I met Tim Russert in the summer of 1976; we were in the same study group together for the NYS Bar exam at UB. We would go for hot dogs after hitting the books.

I had quintuple bypass surgery in 2004; I was a lucky one. I am also 58.
His death from a heart attack hits very close to home.

He was the kind of person you never forget; his love of Buffalo was genuine.

My sympathies to his family.

[BrutalHonesty]

Tim Russert was an excellent ambassador for Buffalo and will be missed. While at times he angered me with his questioning tactics and my perception of his bias on certain subjects, he was truly great at what he did.

Of course I nor the rest of the world have the knowledge of Dave Davies, who, unless he is the guitar player for the Kinks, will not be as highly regarded as Russert was in his field. Too bad he doesn't have the common sense to turn the channel or TV off. I wonder what it is like when everyone else is wrong and you're right. Life must be difficult.

[The Third Man]

All right Dick Jauron, all right Bills. You know what to do now...win one for Russ.

[jim lester]

Tim IS Buffalo.
My condolences to his family and to the world.

[Colleen M]

Sunday mornings will not ever be the same, and there will never be a better moderator of Meet the Press.

[Ron in PA]

Seeing him discuss his Dad on the Don Imus show, and the obvious affection he felt for young Wyatt Imus, made me feel I knew what a kind and genuine man he was. I'm sad he had to leave us so early.

[suzann]

When everything seemed so complicated he had a way of breaking it down that you completely understood. He seemed so genuine and down to earth. I was telling my husband last weekend he was my favorite journalist. After a debate i would find him on TV and listen to him explain the whole sitiuation. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. What a beautiful relationship he had with his father, he will be missed.

[Rob686]

While I never had the pleasure of meeting Tim Russert or his family, I can honestly say that the sad news brought a tear to my eye.

He was not only one of the preeminite journalists of his time, but he brought a style to his reporting that said BUFFALO, but also any working class, industrial, town.

I think that is why so many working class Americans felt a kinship with him. He represented everyman, and also represented what everyman, and everyman's children COULD BE. He was the hometown kid who made it big. However, he was the hometown kid who never forgot where he came from.

His life, and his style, should serve for a model to all of our children of what can happen, when you work hard and tackle adversity and odds with a passion that our hometown knows all to well.

This man is and was Buffalo through and through, and he represents what we can and will be.

Hats off to a true icon, and an inspiraton to our community and our families.

I never thought I'd miss someone so much, that I didn't know.

[Troy Cumbo]

That's too bad. Thanks for carrying a torch for the B-Lo, Tim. You did your hometown and your industry proud.

[miss u]

Heaven is an even better place with him as a resident.

[Kathy]

The death of Tim is a tragic shock for all of us, especially in Buffalo. While the country knows him as a journalist respected by all and without equal, in Buffalo, he was "extended family." I was first in line 2 years ago to have him sign "Wisdom of Our Fathers," a Father's Day gift for my dad's very last Father's Day. I wrote a personal note and my dad would lay in bed clutching that book. I also received a personal handwritten note from Tim congratulating me on some work I was doing in WNY, and the best description of him I think was that he was a man with integrity, strong values and a genuine love of his family. It's a rare man that stays grounded and has a smile and a kind word for everyone. It is a loss that will leave a void for many, many years to come. My prayers are with Big Russ and his wife and son. His faith will certainly have Tim wrapped lovingly in the arms of God right now!

[JB Tampa]

I concur with Rob686 you didn't have to know Tim to know he represented Buffalo and those who grew up there. Even though tears are flowing from all of us we will always remember a great person who made a difference in all of our lives whether you knew him or not!
Best to his family!!!

[Crystal S]

I have watch him for years and I will be missing him for many more. He helped me, this little ghetto girl from Newark, NJ understand how important politics was to my life. He showed me that a reporter could be fair and also reveal the truth. Thank you for sharing yourself with us. Thank you for being a CLASS ACT.