Tim Russert, Host of Meet the Press, Dead at 58 Collapses at Work

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Tim Russert has died of a heart attack after collapsing at NBC’s Washington news bureau, a source said. Tim Russert worked as an NBC journalist and was the political heavyweight host of “Meet the Press.” Tim Russert was 58 years old.

Tim Russert was also the recipient of 48 honorary doctorates. He took over at “Meet the Press” in December 1991. “Meet the Press” is now in its 60th year and is the longest-running program in the history of television.

Further details on Tim Russert’s death are not available at this time. Russert had an incredibly successful career and did what he loved to do right up until the very end. All the news anchors covering this story are practically tearing up as they tell their stories about Tim Russert. Tom Brokaw in particular.

Tim’s wife, Maureen Orth, is a writer for Vanity Fair. He also has a son, Luke who he was very close with. Tim was a bog believer in transparency and was not afraid to let people see how he did his job. He always pulled out his white board to show his audience what he was talking about.

Tim Russert received numerous honors and recognitions in his career. Here are some from MSNBC:

In 2008, Time Magazine named Tim Russert one of the 100 most influential people in the world. That is an impressive title to hold.

In 2005, Tim Russert was awarded an Emmy for his role in the coverage of the funeral of President Ronald Reagan. His “Meet the Press” interviews with George W. Bush and Al Gore in 2000 won the Radio and Television Correspondents’ highest honor, the Joan S. Barone Award, and the Annenberg Center’s Walter Cronkite Award.

Russert wrote two books — “Big Russ and Me” in 2004 and “Wisdom of Our Fathers” in 2006 — both of which were New York Times best-sellers.

Russert’s March 2000 interview of Sen. John McCain shared the 2001 Edward R. Murrow Award for Overall Excellence in Television Journalism. He was also the recipient of the John Peter Zenger Award, the American Legion Journalism Award, the Veterans of Foreign Wars News Media Award, the Congressional Medal of Honor Society Journalism Award, the Allen H. Neuharth Award for Excellence in Journalism, the David Brinkley Award for Excellence in Communication and the Catholic Academy for Communication’s Gabriel Award. He was a member of the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame.

Russert was a trustee of the Freedom Forum’s Newseum and a member of the board of directors of the Greater Washington Boys and Girls Club, and America’s Promise — Alliance for Youth.

In 1995, the National Father’s Day Committee named him “Father of the Year,” Parents magazine honored him as “Dream Dad” in 1998, and in 2001 the National Fatherhood Initiative also recognized him as Father of the Year.

Irish America magazine named him one of the top 100 Irish Americans in the country, and he was selected as a Fellow of the Commission of European Communities.

Tim Russert will be missed by many, many people. More to come on this somber news.

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