Record Needles in the Camel’s iPod

Tim Russert wasn’t just one of television news’ most respected, no nonsense pundit/reporters. He wasn’t just a New York Times best-selling author two times over. He was a Buffalo boy through and through and he would tell everyone within listening distance, often during national broadcasts.

The Queen City-native died today of an apparent heart attack at the age of 58 while doing what he loved: working on the news at NBC, specifically Meet The Press - the mother of all political programs - where he served as host for the last 17 years.

In his announcement of the sad news this afternoon, NBC’s Tom Brokaw called Russert “a true child of Buffalo and always stayed in touch with his blue collar roots which he was raised and the ethos of that community.”

It was true. And Buffalo never let go of Russert.

Born and raised in South Buffalo and a Canisius High School graduate, he IS/WAS the pride of Buffalo, NY. Now we toss that around about people who have passed through this city but I can’t think any person who was more endeared here across the boards: no sports figure, no politician, no one.

He moved on in the world but never really moved away. He continued to return to the city he always felt was his home to visit and care for his father Tim Sr. - the center of his best selling books - and frequently mentioned Buffalo on the air.

I’ve spoken to local football fans who didn’t give a hooey about politics but would still tune in to hear Russert sign off with his weekly “Go Bills!” He was the subject of a Bison’s bobblehead that proved to be one of the team’s most successful and memorable promotions ever.

Russert leaves behind his wife Maureen Orth and a son, Luke. He will be sorely missed especially in this heated political season where his brand of tough but fair journalism set the standard. As recently as this past week’s Meet The Press, you could see the fire in his eyes and joy on his face tearing into the facts of the coming presidential race.

Back home, we’ll miss him even more so. Buffalo is probably never going to have another cheerleader like Tim Russert. We were lucky to have him.