June 13, 2008
Confirmed: Russert Dead At 58
(Russert, with son, Luke, photo courtesy of The Washington Post)
Tom Brokaw just reported that Tim Russert, the longest running host of NBC's Meet the Press, died today after suffering a heart attack in the network's Washington bureau. He was 58.
"This news division will not be the same without his strong clear voice," Brokaw said. "He'll be missed as he was loved. Greatly."
Russert, the pre-eminent political reporter of his generation, was, above all, a product of his Irish Catholic Buffalo upbringing, Brokaw noted. He worked to the point of exhaustion. He spoke often of his father -- Big Russ -- about whom he'd written a New York Times best seller. And he rooted, unrelentingly, for his beloved Buffalo Bills.
"Tim was a true child of Buffalo and the blue collar roots of which he was raised," Brokaw said.
Brokaw said Russert returned last night from a trip to Italy with his wife, the journalist Maureen Orth, and his son, Luke, who graduated this spring from Boston College.
This year, Brokaw said, was one of the most important of Russert's life as he shepherded his colleagues through coverage of the 2008 presidential election.
Eyes watering, NBC News' Andrea Mitchell said: "The shockwaves cannot be fully expressed. Tim was our friend, our leader, our cheerleader, our teacher. My mentor."
(JENNIFER SKALKA)
Posted at 03:46 PM
Comments
Just learned. This is just the saddest news I've heard in a long time. My condolences go out to his family. Like his style or not, he was a true true journalist and heavyweight in politics. He will be missed. RIP Tim.
Ethan | 06.13.08 04:02 PM
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Very very sad news and a great loss to the political commentary in this country at a crucial time in our nation's history. My condolences to his family. Sunday morning will not be the same for a long time.
Steve A | 06.13.08 06:24 PM
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Very very sad news and a great loss to the political commentary in this country at a crucial time in our nation's history. My condolences to his family. Sunday morning will not be the same for a long time.
Steve A | 06.13.08 06:25 PM
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