Remembering Tim Russert
BY MARY LANCASTER INDEPENDENT WRITER

The flags flew at half-mast on Friday in Tim Russert's hometown of Buffalo, New York, shortly after word was announced that he had died that afternoon of a heart attack in his Washington office of NBC News. He was 58.

Russert, moderator of "Meet the Press" since 1991, was highly respected by his news colleagues who called him "objective, a thoughtful analyst, sensitive and caring," but he was also a part of the lives of many islanders who came to know him as a summer resident and generous supporter of the Nantucket Boys and Girls Club and Nantucket Cottage Hospital.

Boys Club executive director Phyllis McInerney and others involved with the club, said he will be impossible to replace.

"He was very sincere in his efforts at the club and he really cared about Nantucket's kids," she said. "He seemed like this huge figure, but deep down he was just a real gentleman. There is no replacement for someone like him."

Frenchy Doucette remembers when Russert began to host the club's summer fundraising concerts in 2002 and helped create exciting auction packages.

"They really brought in huge sums of money for the club," said Doucette. "He didn't know how to say 'no.' He is going to be sorely missed in general, but the club is going to miss him immensely."

Greg McKechnie, the club's board president, recalled how approachable Russert was at club functions, never a man to lord his celebrity over others.

"His life was so dynamic, but when he came here, even though he was trying to enjoy himself, he was so passionate about the kids," said McKechnie. "He wasn't just a figurehead, he was really involved. That says so much about who he was as a person. I feel so badly for his family. When he introduced me to his son Luke you could see how proud he was. He is gone too soon."

Russert has been master of ceremonies at the hospital's major annual fundraiser, The Boston Pops, every summer since 2003 and would have returned this August.

"He was faithful every year," said Margaretta Andrews, chairman of the hospital's board. "He would arrange his schedule to do this for us. He was very humorous and spent a lot of time with Chuck (Gifford, director of community relations) and others about what they wanted him to say to remind everyone there that this was about the hospital. We will miss him so much. He was just an incredible man and very much a part of this community in every sense."

Stephen Karp, one of the major sponsors of The Boston Pops, knew Russert from involvement with the event, but was also a close friend. He is among the many who are stunned and saddened by Russert's unexpected death.

"He was a great friend. Every Fourth of July we'd go fishing. We had a date for this July 5th. He sent me an e-mail recently and he was excited about getting time off and doing the things he always does in making a difference in the community," said Karp. "He was one of my favorite people, always supportive of the hospital and the Pops and the Boys and Girls Club. He never said 'no' to anybody."

Karp's daughter teaches school in Boston's inner city and Russert was always interested in her work.

"I miss him already," Karp said. "I couldn't help but break down a few times like everybody else watching the tributes to him on the news. He had a special feeling for kids in the inner city."

Gifford, who is instrumental in all the behind-the-scenes work preparing for the Pops, came to know Russert well through their affiliation.

"He was very committed to the community and our hospital. That was his way of giving back," said Gifford. "I'm going to miss him. We got to be friends over the last four years. He was a good guy."

Russert had other connections to the island community. He has been a member of The Angler's Club since 1999. Former selectman and resident Arthur Desrocher was one of his sponsors.

"He talked with everybody," said Angler's Club manager Bonnie Lema. "He enjoyed coming up here because it was a local spot and he was treated like a normal guy, which is what he was."

Russert was also scheduled as the kick-off speaker at the Atheneum's Geschke Lecture Series on July 7 to discuss his two books: "Big Russ and Me," which he wrote about his father, and "Wisdom of Our Fathers: Lessons and Letters from Daughters and Sons."

His professional colleagues, who lauded his abilities, call Russert's death "a profound loss."

Sen. John Kerry announced his run for president on "Meet the Press."

"Tim was the best political newsman of his generation," said Kerry. "Tim was brilliant and insightful while always approachable, always accessible. It is impossible to imagine political life without him as our guide every Sunday, but it is even more difficult to find the words to express our sympathy for Maureen, Luke, his father Big Russ and Tim's family at NBC."

Russert lived in northwest Washington. His wake was held yesterday at the St. Albans School in Washington. His private funeral and memorial service is being held today at 4 p.m. in Washington's Kennedy Center. The service is expected to be televised at a later date.

Timothy John Russert, Jr. is survived by his wife, writer Maureen Orth, his son Luke, his father, Timothy J. Russert, Sr., and three sisters.