Friday, June 13, 2008

TIM RUSSERT: A JOURNALIST'S JOURNALIST


TIM RUSSERT 1950-2008
A Journalist's Journalist
Fittingly, the following tribute is from his hometown newpaper,

Tim Russert — who put the world’s most powerful people on the hot seat on NBC’s enormously influential “Meet the Press” while managing to stay true to his modest yet proud South Buffalo roots — died unexpectedly Friday after collapsing in NBC News’ Washington bureau. He was 58.
The Emmy-winning newsman had been recording voice-overs for Sunday’s program when he was stricken. He was rushed to Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington, where resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful, Dr. Michael Newman, his physician, told NBC News.
Tom Brokaw, the former anchor of “NBC Nightly News,” broke into regular network programming Friday afternoon with the shocking announcement. “It is my sad duty to report this afternoon that my friend and colleague Tim Russert, the moderator of “Meet the Press” and NBC’s Washington bureau chief, collapsed and died early this afternoon,” Brokaw said.
NBC News reported an autopsy revealed that Russert had died as a result of cholesterol plaque rupturing an artery, causing sudden coronary thrombosis. He also had an enlarged heart. Russert had been diagnosed with coronary artery disease, NBC said, but he had it under control with medication and exercise. He had performed well on a stress test in late April, his doctor told NBC.
Brokaw noted that Russert had been working especially hard this campaign season — which he loved. “He worked to the point of exhaustion, not just on ‘Meet the Press,’ but on MSNBC and with our colleague Brian Williams, of course, during the debates and on special coverage on ‘NBC Nightly News,’ ” Brokaw said.

No comments: