With Tim Russert’s sad and untimely death last week there has been a great outpouring of thoughts and reminiscences about the host of NBC television’s “Meet The Press”. I have watched and read a fair bit of the coverage and I have been struck by what has been observed about Russert the man, the journalist and the father. There are always life lessons to learn at the passing of a notable. Here are a few I have learned as others have examined his life. Just do it. Never be intimidated by the size of the job nor the people you work with. Tim Russert was a graduate of a law school in Cleveland, Ohio when he went to work on the staff of New York Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan. Russert was surrounded by Ivy League college graduates and felt he might no be the one for the job. Moynihan took him aside and told him, “Tim, what these people know you can learn. What you know they can’t learn.” Have confidence in who you are and what you know. Just jump into the job and get it done. There is no substitute for preparation. Russert’s preparation for an interview was legendary. Watching him on his Sunday morning show was a weekly lesson to do your homework. It was obvious he had studied the statements, views and positions of each politician who came to his desk. His staff had researched past statements and speeches and would put the important ones on the screen and then ask direct and fair questions. Russert had the facts and the words and the guest could not deny what was in black and white before him or her. Every program was a textbook case of a lawyer turned journalist thoroughly preparing before setting down before the cameras. Russert’s producer said he would prepare for a three hour program when “Meet the Press” was only one. Never forget where you came from. Russert came from Buffalo, New York, the son of a middle class sanitation worker. He affectionately introduced his father to us in his 2004 best seller, “Big Russ and Me“, a tribute to the values and ideals taught him by this son of the Great Depression. Professional sports teams from Buffalo were constantly cheered by Russert when them might be playing a big game. He reveled in telling stories of his youth and the lessons learned form his parents, teachers and neighbors. He marveled that only in America could a son of a garbage worker grow up and have the opportunity to sit in the White House and interview the President of the United States. It seems no matter how high Tim went in his profession, and he got about as high as one can, he always carried a measure of his roots–and that helped keep him balanced and made him the lovable person we saw. Treat people with kindness. Some of the stories of Russert reveal a kindness to people regardless of who they were or how powerful they might be. It seems he treated everyone with respect as human beings, whether they could do him him any good or any harm. I always sensed this as I would watch him do an interview or talk about others. He respected people for what they did, whether it was a politician, a writer or a blue collar worker. All people had dignity and deserved a measure of respect. If it is not returned that is their problem not yours. Be fair. Russert was a liberal Democrat. Yet he always had people of opposing viewpoints on his shows, giving them the chance to air their views and opinions in the public arena. His questions would be tough and critical but always honest. He believed the diversity of ideas and opinions in a pluralistic society needed a place to be heard. He understood you could not live in a bubble and always come up with the best answers. It is an important lesson to remember. It’s always instructive to examine a life well lived. That so many take the time to remember the good life of a person speaks to their exemplary character. Tim Russert was such a man. He will be missed.