It is so hard to believe that Buffalo’s own Tim Russert has been gone for ten years. Russert was 58-years-old when he had a massive heart attack at NBC Studios in Washington, D.C.
He was such an icon, so beloved. Chief of the Washington bureau of NBC News and longtime moderator of “Meet the Press,” Russert was known for asking tough questions. Boy did he.
An entire decade without this man who was so revered in Buffalo and around the country. Russert grew up in South Buffalo, went to Canisius High School before heading off to John Carroll University. Russert became a household name as the moderator of Meet the Press – and it was there we all saw how smart, fair, and determined a journalist he was. We also saw his undying love for Buffalo. On almost every show!
He was like all of us – protective of our home, a bit sensitive to negative comments and oh-so thirsty for a sports championship. He wore his passion for Buffalo on his sleeve – literally – and never wavered in his love and support of the Queen City and Western New York.
I was so fortunate to get to know Tim Russert during my time at Channel Two. He would stop in every now and again and loved chatting about everything from sports to politics. He was down to earth, kind and generous with his time. The last conversation I had with him was months before he passed away – we talked about how historic the upcoming presedential election was. He never got to see how things turned out.
Every now and again – I can’t help but wonder what Tim Russert would think about the state of politics in our nation right now. I wonder too, what he would think about the Pegulas and the future of the Bills and Sabres.
One thing is certain – I know how happy and impressed he would be with how far Buffalo has come in the past decade; he’d surely appreciate this renaissance.
His voice, his passion, his words – are deeply missed by many.
We sure do miss you, Tim.
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