TIM RUSSERT

Timothy John Russert was a lawyer and journalist who also received credit for being the longest-serving moderator for Meet the Press on NBC. Tim was also senior vice president for NBC News and covered several presidential elections during his career. In 2008, he was included by Time magazine in its annual list of the 100 Most Influential People in the World. He was also a recipient of 48 honorary doctorates and awards including the American Legion Journalism, American Academy of Achievements, and Emmy Award.

Outside of the often serious world of journalism, Tim was a big fan of sports. He was even elected to the board of directors for the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2003. On June 13, 2008, Russert passed away while recording voiceovers for an episode of Meet the Press. According to his long-time friend and doctor, it was due to a serious health issue. Nobody thought Tim would die doing what he loved the most.