Longtime Washington Post reporter David Broder, who died last month at 81, on Tuesday was remembered as not just a student of Congress, but as a teacher of its labyrinthine ways.

Touchingly funny stories were told during a memorial service held at the National Press Club, including one his son, Josh, recalled of a time when his father took his four sons to the Capitol for a real-life civics lesson. In the Senate gallery, David Broder told the boys about the “engineered-by-design inefficiency of the body.” 

He lectured them on the committee system, amendments and debate. And when he stood and told his sons that he would then take them to visit the House, Josh Broder recalled, about 15 tourists followed them.

“They’d overheard his little lecture and either for their benefit or that of their children, they sat down quietly and listened in,” he said.

Family and friends, including Vice President Joseph Biden, PBS’ Gwen Ifill and Washington Post CEO Don Graham, reminisced about the legendary reporter and columnist during the service.