On the 10th anniversary of Tim Russert's death, we look back at some of WBFO's coverage of the long-time anchor of NBC News' "Meet The Press" and Buffalo ambassador. He died of a heart attack at age 58.
"Many of us are truly grieving, as if he were a close relative," reported WBFO's Mark Scott at the time of Russert's death in 2008.
It's hard to believe 10 years have passed since South Buffalo's loyal son waved a Buffalo Bills flag on his national television broadcast, at the end of interviewing one of many political movers and shakers from America's capital. Russert had that kind of affable, hometown-hero personality.
NBC News echoed the sentiment of many of us, as they remembered "one of the giants of journalism."
"His death, as sudden as it was shocking, brought forth tributes from the politicians he covered with such passion and enthusiasm," wrote Betsy Fischer Martin and Erin Fogarty Owen Tuesday. "Viewers, no matter their political stripe, mourned together because they viewed him as a trusted resource - someone committed to the truth who held the powerful accountable, explained the complexities of Washington, and did it with a gusto that made his love for politics contagious."
WBFO continued to cover Russert's legacy over the years and, on this anniversary, has compiled some of those moments as a remembrance:
- Russert chats with South Buffalo native James. T Molloy, who served for decades as door keeper of the House of Representatives.
- Buffalo dedicates Tim Russert Way, in honor of the man who grew up at 174 Woodside Ave.
- An exhibit of Russert's office opened at the Buffalo History Museum.
- Remembering Russert, a commentary.
