I’m not a fan of politics by any means but I have to give a ton of respect to Tim Russert, NBC News Washington Bureau chief and Meet The Press host, who died suddenly today at age 58.

For me, Tim Russert made politics a bit easy to stomach. I remember watching Meet The Press on Sunday nights on AFN News when I was stationed at Lajes Field, and as a broadcaster I was impressed with his candor and ability to ask the tough questions to members of either political party. He was great at explaining political news items to the public in a way that they could relate to, and he always had a friendly aura about him. I got the distinct impression that he never had a bad word to say about anyone.

My God, he died young. That’s why his death really saddens me. Fifty-eight years is not an awful long time to be on this earth, and Russert’s untimely death is proof positive that when God calls you home, you simply go. I was driving down the street to shoot clips of today’s flooding in Springfield, and when KTTS broke in to report Russert’s death, they said he died at age 58. That hit me hard, I’m not gonna lie.

I was saddened even more after I saw a clip of Tom Brokaw breaking into NBC programming and announcing his friend’s death. It broke my heart to see the emotion in Brokaw’s voice and the pain etched on his face.

Kudos as well to all the major news networks for running tributes to Russert, in an ultimate sign that even though they compete on the air, there is a brotherhood beyond the airwaves.

I was deeply saddened in 2005 when Peter Jennings, my favorite newscaster of my time, died of lung cancer — and I’m equally saddened today to see a bright and engaging journalist, Tim Russert, pass away as well. May the Lord rest his soul, and bring His peace and comfort to his grieving family and colleagues.