Reply #158: How a man treats his family is so much more important than his work.

[beachmom]

Yeah, with a handle like "Beachmom", you can see my bias toward the family. But once I heard all the little stories of how Tim would drop everything for his family (let's not be naive here -- most highly successful people put their family second. Not so with Tim), and what he does for his Dad (not to mention for friends' families), I'll never view him the same. He is a role model parent and son to his father, I hope that more of us will be able to emulate.

Looking at this story, I just won't think of the things you speak of, but rather this:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17116264

(Video at the link)

For the Russerts, caring for Dad is a team effort

Still independent, ‘Big Russ’ gets help from family, friends and neighbors

By Tim Russert
Washington bureau chief
NBC News
updated 7:38 p.m. ET, Tues., Feb. 13, 2007

BUFFALO, N.Y. - My Dad, Big Russ, is a fiercely independent man — always has been.

He left high school to fight in World War II and was badly injured when his B-24 Liberator crashed.

Back home in Buffalo, N.Y., he raised four kids with my Mom, who sadly, died a year and half ago.

He always met every challenge, working round the clock with two fulltime jobs, but living alone is hard.

Big Russ: It gets lonely, but I have a lot of people helping.

Tim Russert: You got a great team.

Now, at 83, Dad has slowed down. Still, he won't ask for help and won't consider a retirement home.

Russert: When I tried to talk to you about going to the assisted living place, you wouldn't get out of the car.

Big Russ: Nah, nah, don't get them going. They'll be calling me up.

A lot of responsibility falls on my sister, Kiki, who lives nearby. Things like replacing batteries and solving the problems of daily life.

Neighborhood friend Mike Shea can be over in a matter of minutes if the power goes out.

Shea: I know when he needs something even if he doesn't need it. I'm a step ahead of him a lot of times.

My sisters and I call several times a day, too many times according to Dad, and there is a frequent care package from me.

Lunch and dinner are lovingly prepared by neighbor Jean Passafiume.

Big Russ: It's enough to feed two.

Passafiume: You have to feed the soul and brain. You feed both and you have a good life. Remember that.

My Dad's favorite — corned beef and cabbage at the Blackthorn Club, where old buddies raise their glasses once a month.

Patrick the poet (reads a poem to the men): When you are young, it's not hard to write, but as the years pass along sometimes words, that once were there, are just not right.

Russert (to the men): I want to thank you so much for embracing him. It means everything to him and everything to me.

On this night, all I had to do was help Dad with his coat. But tomorrow it's support from a team who gives my Dad the love and dignity he deserves.

© 2008 MSNBC Interactive

There was no conspiracy for why there was such an outpouring over his sudden death. Clearly, this man had a huge impact on everyone he worked with as well as acquaintenaces, friends, and family. He was pretty down to Earth and had a big heart. So you're not a fan of his work. Well, luckily there were other facets to him which were most praiseworthy. The most important in how he raised his son and took care of his Dad in his old age. For me, this is the #1 measure of a man or woman: do they put their family at the top? Tim passed that test. And for that, I am so very sad to see him gone from this earth way too soon.