By Ellen Ratner
Bureau Chief, Talk Radio News Service/FOX News Political Contributor

Tony Snow was a friend and one of the nicest human beings to walk on this planet.

All of us who know him will miss him. With Tony there was no ego, he could have a conversation with the President of the United States or the security guard at FOX News and he was concerned more about them than himself.

Even though he had been sick when our mutual friend Deborah Orin died, Tony went out of his way to help Deborah’s family. He did not need to and no one knew the extent of what he did to help. We were very different politically but he took an active interest in my project in the Gulf of Mississippi. Politics mattered to the professional Tony but Tony the friend, let go of differences and only saw the commonality between people.

When he became ill while serving as Press Secretary many of the staff and press wore yellow wristbands with his name on it. He was loved by so many of us in the White House Press Corps. Many people asked why he left the job he loved most as Press Secretary at the White House. Tony was always positive about his health but never in a state of denial. He knew the end would be near and wanted to spend time with his family and leave them in the best circumstances he could. As a kind, gentle man who cared for his family, his country and his friends there can be no replacement for Tony Snow.