Remembering Tim Russert

I gasped when I heard the news of Tim Russert's death (Russert died of a heart attack in his office in Washington, DC on Friday afternoon). It was sudden, shocking, unclear  at first what had transpired. I heard people buzz about it in my office: Was it a joke? No? What was his medical condition? Was it cardiac arrest or a heart attack that took Russert's life? He had diabetes? My gosh... his son just graduated from Boston College?

It was strange and sad trying to confirm what had happened; for a few hours after Russert's death on Friday, there was a brief pause. The New York Times added a single line at the top of its website, a title without an article, announcing Russert's death by heart attack. The facts and details came later.

By the time night fell in Washington, DC on Friday, June 13 -- I was at a restaurant called Jaleo -- the story of Russert's heart attack had been cycled through multiple TV news segments. There were commentators and analysts and talking heads wearing suits and somber expressions. I watched the screen without really listening.

Luckily, a friend named Charles, who had worked for the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Washington, reminded me how Russert had supported the organization steadfastly. There was talk of dinners and galas and fond memories.

I saw this poster, a tribute to Tim Russert, in the window of a store at 14th and U in Washington, DC on Sunday afternoon and stopped to snap a photo.  

Rest in Peace, Tim Russert.