Editor's Note: Don Elkins works for CBS/Fox television stations in Maryland after working a number of years for the NBC affiliate in Fayetteville. He's worked for the Northwest Arkansas Times and also for KFAY-AM in the same market. He's covering the news today, but took a moment to pen this for us. Our thanks to him.

As a broadcast journalist with more than 20 years experience under the belt, and as someone who has enjoyed covering politics for most of that time, today's news that NBC's Tim Russert had died hit me in the gut. I have to say that after the initial shock, I immediately wondered who I'd see hosting "Meet the Press" this weekend, and forever after. I'm just not sure if anyone can take Russert's place.

I haven't always agreed with him, but I've always admired him, pretty much since first seeing him hit the airwaves back in the mid 80s. He was, essentially, the political reporter all of us wanted to be. His style of questioning was dogged, and people often criticized him for cross-examing his guests. Many of us who've worked the beat admired his technique, and looked up to his style of confrontational, yet intellectual enquiry.

CNN's recent series of primary debates were soft. Apologies to Wolf Blitzer, but watching Russert manhandle the Democratic candidates made many of us cheer and say, "that's the way to do it." ABC then showed us exactly how not to conduct a debate in Philly shortly afterward.

I'm not from Buffalo. I've never visited, but I remember listening to Russert's stories about his town, and about his family and appreciating his background as a family man and someone with pride in his cultural background.

Like many of you, I'm sitting here as I write this watching NBC's coverage of what happened, and listening to the annecdotes from Russert's colleagues, a form of heartfelt and drawn out obituary. I remember a number of years ago having to sit and write a similary piece about the passing of Peter Jennings, and also about David Brinkley. All these men have been giants in the field of broadcasting in the latter quarter of the 20th century, and those of us in the field have to wonder if anyone out there can step up and fill their shoes in the right way.

Tim Russert looked overweight. He worked very hard, very long hours under high pressure. He was 58 years old. He died the way many people just like him, including my own father died. As someone who closely resembles all those descriptors, Russert's death comes as a reminder and sends a chill down my spine this afternoon.

Even those who live on-the-air day to day can check out unexpectedly. Tim Russert went out doing what he loved best, writing and reporting. He'll be missed.

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