Tim Russert - An All-American

I think Tim Russert, who died this week, was an All-American guy with working class roots, an abiding respect for family, who was inspired by faith. He was extremely hard working and self-motivated, and in flow much of the time. As I take a look at his life he strikes me as one of the few excellent role models out there for guys like me who are a little younger and think a lot about our own significance and legacy.

Russert had a Jesuit Catholic education, a factor that apparently contributed to his strong community ethic. He certainly saw himself as his brother's keeper.

Russert's life brings to mind the final scene from "Saving Private Ryan" in which the now elderly, Ryan hopes that he has honored the men that saved him and metaphorically, all of the great heroic men that sacrificed for all of us, by asking his wife, "Have I been a good man? Have I lived a good life?". I think men, especially, are deeply affected by this. It is in our evolutionary programming to try to live with honor and significance.

So, for a lot of reasons, Russert just seemed like an excellent and decent guy, a leader and a great citizen. I fear we are producing less and less of them.