News Great Tim Russert Dies of Heart Attack at 58
June 13, 2008

The news world has lost a great journalist, interviewer and all around great guy, as longtime Meet the Press host and managing editor, Tim Russert, passed away at the age of 58 on Friday after collapsing of a heart attack. Russert, a former politician and lawyer before joining Meet the Press, was one of the most respected news personalities of his time. As tributes to Tim Russert pour in over the news networks, the news world is struggling to cope with the loss of a genuine journalist and devout family man.

Known for doggedly doing his homework in preparation for his many high profile interviews each Sunday on Meet the Press and on NBC’s Nightly News, Russert earned the respect from almost everyone in the news business. From campaign managers, politicians and fellow journalists to the office of the President, the entire nation is mourning the loss of man who left a lasting imprint on the news landscape. Commenting on the passing of Tim Russert, "presumptive" Democratic party nominee, Barack Obama said, "There wasn’t a better interviewer in all of television."

According to news reports, Russert, a native of Buffalo, New York and huge Buffalo Bills fan, suffered a sudden heart attack while tracking a script and recording audio segments for his weekly show at NBC’s News Bureau, collapsed, and died shortly thereafter. On Friday, as an expression of what Russert meant to the city of Buffalo, even the NFL's Buffalo Bills issued a statement on the death of Tim Russert, stating the organization will greatly miss Tim Russert's passionate support for the team.

In a news age that values entertainment and speculation over factual accuracy and journalistic integrity, the news networks and their so-called journalists have lost even more credibility now that Tim Russert won’t be around to keep us grounded in reality.

As a tribute, check out Russert’s 2007 "spirited" interview with former Republican candidate Ron Paul.