Bob_Grip's Blog

At first, I didn't believe it when I heard that Tim Russert died.  I thought, "How could he die? He's too young.  He's too good.."

But it was all too true.  Russert, the Washington bureau chief of NBC News and the host of "Meet the Press" was the best interviewer I knew.  He was aggressive but fair.

I had the chance to meet him a couple of years ago when he came to Mobile to celebrate the 175th anniversary of the establishment of Spring Hill College.  850 people came to campus to hear him speak (and raise money for the College).

I caught up with him as he was taking part of a procession from the middle campus to the Outlaw Recreation Center where he was speaking.  I stopped him by saying "Ad maiorem Dei gloriam" (For the greater glory of God) which is the Latin motto for the Society of Jesus, commonly known as the Jesuits who established Spring Hill College, and Boston College, my alma mater and the alma mater of Russert's son.

He instantly smiled and agreed to interrupt the procession for a short interview about his coming to Spring Hill.  He told me, "It's important to all of us that we're here for something other than ourselves, and you can come to Spring Hill and get a great education, learn how to read and write, but you also learn the difference between right and wrong."

The best way to remember Russert comes from the Psalms, which are often recited at a Catholic funeral.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon him.             May he rest in peace.