Russert knew what it meant to be a father

It's Friday afternoon and then the news hits the news wire. Tim Russert has died from a sudden heart attack at the age of 58.

I asked myself how could this be, and even on Friday the 13th of June? No less! A sense of shock went though me and a feeling of great loss as well. The most fair person on TV, he would ask tough questions and expect good answers back from his guest. If he didn't get a good answer he'd ask again, that's the kind of guy he was and it didn't matter who they were. Either on "Meet the Press" or as a host or co-host in a debate.

Then Saturday came as more comments and praise came in, from the well-known to the average person. I then also remembered him for that best-selling book he wrote about his hardworking father, "Big Russ and Me" and the relationship he had with his father and his own son, Luke.

Now it's Sunday June 15 and it's Father's Day. As I got up and went through the day, I had many thoughts about my own father and what that meant to me. I also remembered my grandfathers as well.

My son lives very far away in another country with his wife and two children, with a 7-hour difference in time. So its 2 p.m. my time and 9 p.m. his time and the phone rings. I answered and heard the voice of my son say, "Hi, Dad, Happy Father's Day, Dad!" I then said, "Happy Father's to you, too!" We talked for a while as he gave his children their bath before they went off to bed, with a story or two as he tucked them in for the night after a busy Father's Day ! I closed his phone call to me by saying, "I love you" and he replied back with "I love you too, Dad!"

Ah yes! Remembering a father and what that all means to be a father. So thank you, Tim Russert, for telling all us average fathers about what being a father is all about. You will be missed by this average father and your message to us will never fade away from our hearts and mind. Thanks Tim.

Chuck Clark

Wheaton