I cannot fathom this. I met Tim Russert about 10 years ago when he gave a speech at a business convention I attended. He was a wonderful, warm, funny, brilliant man.

How can someone so young be taken from us? So, so sad...

Robin, I had just barely read this headline on the internet. I'm shocked! I always enjoyed his grilling interviews. Only 58... you never know... How lucky you met him -- your description of him sounds exactly what I thought he would be like, just from watching him on TV. Yes, so very sad.

I know, I know. When I met him he gave a speech on being a parent. On how important it was so be right into your kids lives...into the yukky stuff, the difficult stuff. How not to be afraid to stay up all night talking to them if that was what it took.

He was an AMAZING journalist. And humble, too. His son, Luke, just graduated from Boston College. And he just moved his father ('Big Russ') into a better senior care facility.

This just doesn't seem real to me. I know he was overweight...and he worked way too many hours. I often read that his colleagues would tell him to stop and slow down. This presidential race in particular had just enveloped him. But you figure that someone with a lot of money (he was very wealthy) would have a really tight handle on their health, right? I always picture rich people with personal physicians...getting more expensive tests than us 'regular' folks. Like Oprah...she had one of those total body scans that no insurance will cover...I think it costs something like $10,000.00, but of course she could afford it, and she found out she has the beginning of heart disease....so her money is able to buy her better health options.

Maybe the world of political journalism is a really high stress one. Watching Tom Brokaw deliver the news made me cry; it was so obvious he was holding back the tears...

Oh what horrible news. I am deeply saddened by this. He was an tremendous asset to his profession.

My daughter called me at work with the news. I can't believe it. He will be sadly missed by his fellow journalists, and the nation as well. My heart goes out to his family. I will keep them in my prayers this evening. God rest his soul. Mary

This is so shocking, and so very sad!
I will keep his family in my prayers.
This is just another reminder of how precious life is, and how quickly it can be taken away. Treasure every day with your loved ones.

Di

He was a pro, that's for sure. He was the only political reporter I could tolerate. He was only interested in the truth. All young journalists could really take a lesson from him. I will truly miss him.

This is such a sad day. Tim was the one that got me interested in politics, and the only person who explained it in a way that made sense to me. I loved watching him on MSNBC as the returns came in from each election. You could tell by the twinkle in his eye that he dearly loved every minute of his job. He will very much be missed.

I'm so sad, too. Tim Russert was one of the only journalists I could stand to watch...

It feels especially cruel that he didn't get to see the outcome of this election year - he was so involved, and clearly so excited about it.


Yes, we have to cherish life while we have it.

JJ

Wow what a shocker!
Does anyone know if he was married or had kids?
I had to stop watching the news report when a lady reporter got all choked up.
Can't remember here name>She said he had hire her for her first job on CNN.

Yes, he was married...I think his wife's name is Maureen. They have one son, Luke, who just graduated from college. He had taken his wife and son to Italy to celebrate, and they stayed behind while he came back to do his show. NBC delayed broadcasting the news of his passing until they were informed of the sad news. I still just can't believe it. Tim Russert gone, and Bill O'reilly is still shooting his darned mouth off...

sorry if I offended any O'Reilly fans. He's just not my cup of tea...

They showed some pictures of Tim, his wife and son. It is eerie how much Luke looks like Tim. I finally had to stop watching MSNBC tonight, too too sad.

Did anyone watch Meet the Press today?

The whole thing was heart-wrenching, but especially at the very end, when they showed his empty chair...

Too young, too young....

JJ