Tony Snow Taught Us How to Live and How to Die - with Dignity

At 2 a.m. on Saturday the 12th of July at Georgetown Hospital in Washington D.C., a son, husband, father, friend and all-around exceptional person died of cancer; his name was Tony Snow.

Like so many others I was stunned to hear that Tony Snow had passed. I sat in quiet reflection and watched tributes to Tony on Fox News. Like his mother before him, he battled cancer and did so without complaint. He never asked, "Why me?" He never stated it was unfair. He always had hope and was endlessly optimistic.

Tony Snow, in his own words, said: "One of the best things about having cancer is that it causes you, if you allow it, to draw closer to God."

"Attitude is real important. Why sit around and bemoan your fate. Go ahead and get in there and while you're at it enjoy every moment that you're alive." And when he finished with those words, he smiled.

Years ago I became a fan of Tony's and although I didn't watch TV on a regular basis, I found Tony amicable, genuine, soothing to listen to, and easy on the eyes. That's not to say that his good looks were the draw; it was his friendly, easy-going mannerism and authentic smile that made him such a pleasure to watch. A lot of network anchors have an aloof quality, but Tony seemed approachable, like he could be anyone's good friend. From what I've heard and read, he pretty much was. I've been a long-time reader of Free Republic - a place where Tony Snow himself would post. Other posters, freepers as they are known, would kindly share their encounters with Tony and all of them mentioned how down-to-earth he was, "a regular guy," and that he was a gentleman who treated everyone the same.

Robert Anthony Snow was born on June 1st 1955 in Kentucky. He was raised in Cincinnati. His dad was a high school teacher and his mom was a nurse. When Tony was 17 his mom succumbed to colon cancer. He was well educated and majored in philosophy. Prior to starting his journalism career he taught in Kenya. He was happily married to Jill and together they had three children: Kendall, 16, Robert, 12, and Kristin, 11. He was successful at everything he did and was even a musician who played six instruments and was part of a cover band, Beats Workin'.

Above all, he was devoted to his family and never sacrificed his time with them. They did come first. Dana Perino even said of him, "Every woman on earth would be blessed to have just one day of the love that Tony Snow had for his wife, Jill." She continued, "For a week he was working on her 50th birthday. He went and gathered 50 birthday presents to give to her." He was such a family man.

Tony was with Fox News for 12 years and in 2006 I, like so many others, was thrilled when he became the press secretary for President Bush. Prior to his arrival it was painful to watch his predecessor but once Tony Snow took command, and command he did, it was exciting, never boring. He never let anyone get a rise out of him and always conducted himself with grace, dignity, and even some humor.

Of politics Tony once mentioned: "I think humor is really important. I think humor, especially in politics, indicates you know who you are and you also know you're fallible. My view is that any guy who can't look in the mirror and see somebody who's at least faintly foolish isn't taking a close look."

He was one to think of other people, despite his own pain. As press secretary he often sparred with Helen Thomas but even when he was gravely ill, he inquired about her welfare when word reached him that she too was ill.

In his early years Tony Snow was a liberal democrat and while his opinions changed and he embraced conservatism, he never talked down to others because they disagreed with him. He cared what other people thought.

Joshua Bolten said of Tony: "He didn't always agree with everybody but he was never disagreeable." Former President George HW Bush echoed that sentiment.

Andrew Card shared: "He could be combative without being cutting. He could be feisty while being respectful. He listened to others opinions. He was kind when he didn't have to be. He did good things when nobody was watching."

Bob Beckel, a liberal democrat and friend of Tony's shared his own memories. For one he recalled: "I used to drink a whole lot. I was hung over so badly I could hardly make it to the speech and Tony wrote my speech, my liberal speech for me, including all my jokes, all the attacks on conservatives, and handed it to me right before I went to the podium."

Tony Snow was a conservative who stood by his principals, but he was also a good friend. His assistance of Bob speaks volumes about the kind of class act Tony was. He didn't betray his beliefs by helping a friend, he saw there was a commitment to the people waiting to hear their debate and most likely didn't want to disappoint them, and he also saw there was a need, and met it. Not because he had to, but because it was a kind thing to do; kind, which is what Tony Snow was.

I believe that Tony Snow set a great example of decency and I think the world, this country, would be a much better place if people could handle their differences the way Tony Snow did. Even I'm guilty of losing my cool, but Tony valued others, not just the ones who agreed with him, and in his dealings with people he didn't demean anyone. I think most of us could learn to emulate that great quality.

Other Opinions
"He was candid. He did not try to hide any obvious truths or any difficulties for the administration. He was a very honest man."
- Bill Plane

"He never complained. Everyday he would say, 'I'm a lucky man!' We could learn how to live from him."
- Dana Perino

"He knew he was living under a death sentence. His cheer never faded. That incandescent smile never left him. Tony Snow taught us how to live and he taught us how to die."
- Brit Hume

"He said he was not afraid of death because when you die as a Christian you graduate to something greater and better."
- Cal Thomas

"I can't think of one word to describe Tony Snow, but many: respectful, courteous, courageous, humorous, competent, faithful, inspiring, family-centric, curious, determined, eloquent."
- Tom Berry

"He was easy to be around, had a wicked sense of humor. We discussed race relations as that was very important to him. Tony loved this country, loved democracy because he believed that all people should have the chance to do all the kinds of things he did."
- Condoleezza Rice

"When talking with Tony it was like you were in his living room. The best human interaction is a great conversation and that's what Tony could do."
- Juan Williams

"That gentleman lived his life the way I try to live mine. He's still my hero."
- Thebaddog

"This just blew my day. With so many that don't love the Lord and could care less about mankind, we lose a man of this stature and faith."
- PanzerDeutscheschafferhund

"Smile for him. It's what he would have wanted."
- Griff Jenkins