News-Record.com

The tough but affable TV newsman, Tim Russert, died suddenly on Friday while taping voice-overs for the leading Sunday morning talk show, NBC's "Meet the Press."

Russert, who was only 58, suffered a fatal heart attack, and for now, at least, seems impossible to replace.

He was a regular guest in my house on Sunday morning and his show was clearly, and consistently, better than the others.

He brought a delicate mix of fairness and authority to the show. And while some talk show blowhards see themselves as stars, and their guests as bit players, not Russert.

He was a gracious but demanding host, asking pointed questions, politely pushing some of the most powerful people in the world to talk straight and come clean.

He was always impeccably prepared, and he couldn't hide his love of covering Washington, and his glee at election time.

Ironically, Russert will be outlived by his son Luke -- and by his father, Tim Russert Sr., whom he called "Big Russ," and to whom he paid tribute in a warm-hearted bestseller, "Big Russ and Me" (2004). Another book. "Wisdom of Our Fathers, " followed in 2006.

Sadly, he died two days before Father's Day.

He'll also miss the outcome of one of the most compelling presidential races in recent memory.

"Meet the Press" will go on, probably, I'm guessing, with David Gregory in that seat.

But it will be difficult to replicate the rare mix of grit and geniality Russert brought to the table.