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Remembering Tim Russert

Posted: Sunday, June 15, 2008 3:39 PM

By NBC's Rehema Ellis and Patrice Fletcher

Today, as we did liveshots from the West Seneca, N.Y., park named for our beloved Tim Russert, a steady stream of people dropped by to leave flowers in remembrance of Tim, and well wishes for our NBC crew of six.  At one point, the owner of the Red Brick Inn down the street drove up in his catering truck.  He offered us the use of the restaurant's bathroom facilities and left us with a stack of menus.  Soon after, a West Seneca fireman showed up in a pumper truck with six barbecue chicken dinners from his department's Father's Day celebration.  Then another man, who would only give us his first name, Steve, showed up with coffee and doughnuts.  A few minutes later, Steve's wife brought us cold Gatorade on this 80-degree day.  It seems that Buffalo wants to make sure that Tim's NBC family is taken care of.  We are the beneficiaries of their affection for him.

After videotaping people leaving flowers, flags and notes, our cameraman Steve Delmonte, said the mourners treated him like family.  "I feel like I'm an ambassador for NBC," Steve said.  We told him that that's exactly what he is.   It's what we all are -- stand-ins, here in Buffalo, for the man they call "Timmy."

Patrice Fletcher is the field producer for Rehema Ellis, who is reporting from Tim Russert Park near Buffalo, N.Y.

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  The sudden death of Tim Russert hit my wife and me with a poignancy which surprised us. We are Nigerians, but have naturalized as citizens of these United States. We never met Mr. Russert, and had only occasionally watched his long-running program, MEET THE PRESS. But there was just something about the man - his calmness, and his dignified bearing - that marked him out as one of the most remarkable journalists of this or any other age. Whether he was smilingly probing a politician, or discussing the latest campaign results, or commenting on a Gallup poll, he seemed to be masterfully in control of the situation.
  We felt as we had never before felt, whenever the passing of a public figure was announced. It was as if a treasured family member had died.
  Our condolences go to the family he left behind: his wife of course, and his son who cruelly lost his father a few short days before Father's Day. But especially we feel sad for his father, who could never have thought that he would have to endure the most heart-wrenching loss imaginable for an octogenarian father: the death of his fifty-something-year-old child. As sure as there is a God above, He did not mean it to be so!
  May Tim Russert's elegant soul rest in peace!

Chike Christian MOMAH (Sent Sunday, June 15, 2008 9:23 PM)

I almost never agreed with anything he said or did, but I had to respect his tenacity and passion for what he did.

For what he did...he was one of the best at it, of all time.  He was certainly a master of his "craft".

R.I.P. Tim Russert

I pray God will bring comfort to his family.

P.K.,Tampa, FL (Sent Monday, June 16, 2008 10:28 AM)

My husband, Stephen and I are deeply saddened over the recent passing of Tim Russert.  Although, we never meet him, he was without a doubt an excellent reporter and we will miss his presence and his down to earth reporting - he seemed like family to us. The hospitality that the community of Buffalo extended to the news team should not come as a surprise as Tim's community will miss their dear neighbor that Tim appeared to have loved and this is their way to show their respect and grief. Our thoughts and prayers will be with the Russerts in the following days.

Carol A. Baroody, Lebanon, New Hampshire (Sent Monday, June 16, 2008 4:07 PM)

I watched Tim Russert on 'Meet the Press' for a long time and enjoyed his way of interviewing and that great smile.  I wish I had gotten the opportunity to thank him for the hard work he did for our country to educate and inform us.

I have come to realize that he was very much a loving father, a good friend to many, and he loved his country.  Tim Russert will be missed by many people for a very long time. I know I will miss watching him and 'Meet the Press' will not be the same without Tim.

Mary Smith, Memphis, Tennessee (Sent Wednesday, June 18, 2008 11:07 AM)

I want to express my condolences to his wife, son and father.  They have been and are in my thoughts and prayers during this most difficult time.  I know you are grieving but remember that one day you will see him again.  Take comfort in that and keep his memories in your hearts forever.

Mary Smith, Memphis, Tennessee (Sent Wednesday, June 18, 2008 11:10 AM)

I doubt that many folks would feel this same way about some of the others on tv news. Thats because Tim seemed to be real and unprententious. He did not give in to ratings and ideaology. There is nobody left to take his place. I not only mourn for the loss of the man but of the era.
Are we now destined to only have ideaological bickering for news?

Dr. Thomas Knestrict, Mason, Ohio (Sent Thursday, June 19, 2008 10:15 AM)



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