It is a rare moment when one can remember the passing away of someone one has never met as if he or she were a member of the family. But today’s sudden and unexpected death of Tim Russert is precisely such an occasion.

For any civic-minded American, Tim’s constant presence in our living rooms every Sunday as moderator of Meet the Press made him as familiar a face as if he really were a member of the family, visiting every Sunday to educate us about public affairs and the state of the nation.

It was a presence that I truly admired. For at least the last three years, since my civic conscience has come of age, I don’t think I’ve missed a single episode of Meet the Press, whether DVRing it on Sunday or watching the netcast later in the week or sneaking in a peek on those rare Sunday mornings when I’d wake up early enough to catch the original broadcast.

Though I’m not really sure when exactly MTP became a permanent fixture of my week for me, I’ll never forget why. It was Tim’s refreshing and relentless pursuit of the truth and his willingness to ask the tough questions that others would shy away from. One glowing example of this was his now-famous interview with President Bush from February 2004 - his first network interview since 2000 (see excerpts here). At a time when Pres. Bush had more or less gotten a free ride from the White House pres corps on the difficult questions facing the nation regarding its involvement in Iraq, Tim hit all the big ones: was the Iraq war a war of choice or necessity? How do you respond to critics who say that you brought the nation to war under false pretenses? Did we miscalculate how we would be treated and received in Iraq?

Never once could one watch MTP and think, “I wish he had asked this or that.” He always hit on all the big points, all the big issues, all the past statements and mis-statements. In this sense, Tim stood up for and represented the voice of the average American. He asked the questions that he knew concerned citizens needed to know the answer to and he didn’t give anyone a free pass - whether Democrat, Republican or Independent. And at the heart of his questioning was always a deep concern for the truth and a desire to educate his viewers and leave them more informed than they were before they picked up the remote control.

His was an exceptional life - one filled with outsized impact, success, and meaning. Tim demonstrates the power of what we can achieve when we follow our passions, do what we love and care and think about those around us while we do it.

For all these reasons, I had always hoped to someday meet him personally, either at a book signing or a lecture of some sort, and I regret that I never got a chance to do so before he passed away so abruptly and - at a mere 58 - so early. He is someone I will never forget, always look up to and always cherish as if he were a member of my family; indeed, it very much feels like he was, and Sunday will never feel the same without him.

Rest in peace, Tim - you will be missed dearly.

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Some videos of how others who knew him remembered him today:

Tom Brokaw:

 

David Gregory:

 

Jack Welch:

 

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