From NBC News -

WASHINGTON - Tim Russert, NBC News' Washington bureau chief and the moderator of "Meet the Press," died Friday after being stricken at the bureau, NBC News said Friday. He was 58.

Russert was recording voiceovers for Sunday's "Meet the Press" broadcast when he collapsed, the network said.

He had recently returned from Italy, where his family was celebrating the graduation of Russert's son, Luke, from Boston College.

No further details were immediately available.

Russert was best known as host of "Meet the Press," which he took over in December 1991. Now in its 60th year, "Meet the Press" is the longest-running program in the history of television.

But he was also a vice president of NBC News and head of its overall Washington operations, a nearly round-the-clock presence on NBC and MSNBC on election nights.

He was "one of the premier political journalists and analysts of his time," Tom Brokaw, the former longtime anchor of "NBC Nightly News," said in announcing Russert's death. "This news division will not be the same without his strong, clear voice."

In 2008, Time Magazine named Russert him one of the 100 most influential people in the world.

I had the opportunity to meet Tim Russert on a couple of occasions, most recently during his visit to Tulsa in January of 2007.

As Russert was viewed by millions of Americans as one of the best TV moderators, I was amused that I was asked to moderate the Tim Russert event at the Tusla Performing Arts Center.

I was surprised when I first saw Tim because he walked up to the backstage area on crutches. Tim later explained to me how he'd injured his leg. Many have noted that TV personalities rarely look the same in person as they do on TV. I thought the same of Russert. He didn't look as vibrant in person as on TV. His obvious pain and discomfort from his leg injury seemed a reasonable explanation for his appearance.

The irony is that days before the Tim Russert event, I had been released from the hospital after falling ill to pneumonia. I was 15-pounds lighter, weak and unsure on my feet.

As I stood on stage with Russert moderating questions from the audience - bright lights, many eyes on me - there were several moments in which I was genuinely fearful that I was going to pass out.

I looked over at Tim on his crutches and thought to myself, "Neither of us are at the top of our game right now."

Yet, even in pain and discomfort, Russert was his typical self - easy-going, friendly and thought-provoking.

Many people tried to find Russert's bias over the years.

Did he have one?

Of course.

We all do.

Yet, week after week, Russert provided one of America's best outlets for honest and meaningful dialog with this country's power brokers.

Someone will certainly succeed him.

It will be sometime before anyone can truly replace him.

No where is that felt more deeply that with his widow and son.