Tim Russert Dies at 58
June 13, 2008 by Kath Skerry
Today we received the sad news that Meet the Press moderator and NBC political analyst, Tim Russert, passed away this afternoon after collapsing while working in NBC Washington Bureau. Tim was 58 years old.
Colleague and former NBC anchor Tom Brokaw broke the news on the network Friday shortly after 3:40 p.m., saying Russert had just returned from a family vacation in Italy to celebrate the graduation of his son, Luke, from Boston College.
Tim was a strong voice at NBC and in the world of politics. Tim had a way of breaking down political issues so they were accessible to the masses. He wasn’t afraid to challenge belief systems and ask the tough political questions often raised by middle America.
Tim Russert was part of my morning routine as he is a frequent contributor to The Today Show, and I’ll miss his segments and his friendly interactions with Matt Lauer and Meredith Viera.
He leaves behind his wife, author Maureen Orth, and his son, Luke.
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When I heard this I immediately became sad. I loved watching Meet the Press, even though I only started because Russert was from Buffalo too. He was a great supporter of all Buffalo sports teams and will be missed greatly here in WNY.
Huge loss for journalism. In an era of talking heads and Bill O’Reilly like journalism, Tim Russert is needed now more then ever.
He was knowledgeable, tough and fair. His void will be extremely hard to fill.
I am a political junkie among other things and was a very devoted fan of TJR. I watched hours of recollections of his work and life last night. What I learned was not only was he a wonderful journalist and family man but a wonderful mentor as well. They are too numerous to mention but CNN’s Campbell Brown is one who spoke so fondly of his hiring her into NBC and of how he cared for not only nurturing her career but of him celebrating the birth of her child. He wrote a letter to her newborn son about how wonderful a family he was born into.
We are diminished by his loss and I personally do not know where to turn for the truth in his absence. The conventions and subsequent election will seem shallow without his commentary.
I have many happy memories of his white board, particularly during the ambiguous parts of the last election when he filled the entire thing with one word: FLORIDA.
He will be missed.
Hi Kath. I have to tell you i have been crying all weekend. I know nothing about politics and I was not a regular watcher of Meet the Press. But of all the times i saw him on MSNBC or the Today show I really just enjoyed him. Whatever he was talking about I could understand what he said and never felt stupid. As everyone has been saying over the past few days – he was just a “regular” guy and that is why I think that everyone could relate to him. The workd will never be the same. I am so heartbroken and my prayers go out to his wife, son, father and family. Rest in peace.