I just read on Yahoo! that Tim Russert died today while preparing this coming Sunday’s edition of “Meet The Press“.

Tim was 58.

I’m deeply saddened by this news as I’ve always enjoyed Tim’s commentary, though I don’t often watch “Meet The Press” on Sunday mornings. Sunday morning is my time to sleep in and then have a leisurely breakfast.

I do watch quite a bit of NBC and MSNBC programming during week nights and I’ve been able to catch Tim’s succinct commentary on the current presidential campaign during those time slots. Every time Tim spoke, it seemed to carry just a little more wieght than everyone else on the program with him.

Not sure why that was, maybe it was just the commanding presence of his voice and delivery.

I don’t want to give off the impression from the very beginnings of this blog that it will have a political or current events bent.

For from it.

But the thing that has really struck me about Tim’s passing is just how untimely it is.

I recall that he was on crutches a few months back when testifying in the Scooter Libby trial and I assumed he wasn’t in the best of health. But dying at 58 is way too young.

I know it’s extremely selfish to worry about oneself when tragedy strikes some else and their loved ones, but I suppose I should start getting used to hearing news reports of the deaths of people very close in age to myself.

You’ll be missed very much Tim.