Tim Russert dies

Heartbreaking news from the NBC family.

Tim Russert has died.

NBC says Russert was in his Washington, D.C. office and had a heart attack.  Russert and his family had recently returned from a vacation in Italy, and were celebrating the graduation of his son.

The Meet the Press moderator and NBC News Washington Bureau Chief was 58.

Time Magazine named Russert one of the most 100 influential people in the world.

His funeral will be on Monday.

WSLS Political Analyst Dr. Bob Denton with Tim Russert during Russert’s visit to Virginia Tech

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By LAURIE KELLMAN Associated Press Writer
    WASHINGTON (AP) - Tim Russert, host of NBC’s “Meet the Press” and its Washington bureau chief collapsed and died at work Friday after suffering an apparent heart attack. He was 58
    Russert, of Buffalo, N.Y., took the helm of the Sunday news show in December 1991 and turned it into the most widely watched program of its type in the nation. His signature trait there was an unrelenting style of questioning, sparing none of the politicians, business giants and even sports figures who appeared on his show.
    Washingtonian magazine once dubbed Russert the best journalist in town, and described “Meet the Press” as “the most interesting and important hour on television.
    He also wrote best-selling books, “Big Russ and Me,“ in 2004, and “Wisdom of our Fathers,“ in 2006.
    This year, Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world.
    Russert also was a senior vice president at NBC.