Tim Russert dies of a heart attack

Meet the Press host and NBC News Washington Bureau Chief Tim Russert died suddenly today of a heart attack. He had just returned from vacation in Italy, preparing to celebrate his son’s graduation from Boston College. Russert, an Irish Catholic educated in Catholic schools, tirelessly promoted Catholic education in the United States. Here he is announcing the 2008 Making a Difference Award, given to an outstanding educator in Catholic schools. Russert was one the most outstanding poltiical commentators of the cable news era, never hesitating to push for the tough answers from all sides of politics. Above all else, Russert loved his family. During the NBC News Special Report this afternoon, David Gregory and Andrea Mitchell related how his relationships with his son, Luke, his wife, Maureen, and, of course, his dad, “Big Russ,” were the center of his life. Everyone, Mitchell said, went to Russert if they had any problems, be they professional or familial. Russert will be sorely missed. “Balanced,” “fair,” “down the middle,” he was one of the good guys. In the words of Peggy Noonan this evening, “Tim was a Catholic.”

May his soul rest in peace.

John Friedman has already written a moving tribute to Russert.

Here is Russert moderating a discussion at Boston College between Senators Chris Dodd and Sam Brownback on how their Catholic faith impacts their political views and decisions: