Tributes To Newsman Russert

LATEST: The family of late U.S news anchor TIM RUSSERT have paid tribute to the star, hailing him as a much-loved family man.

The longtime Meet The Press host died after suffering a heart attack his Washington, D.C office on Friday (13Jun08). He was 58.

The star's sister Kathy Russert-Hughes says the news came as a devastating blow - especially as it came the day before Father's Day.

She says the whole family was planning a visit to see Russert on Sunday (15Jun08).

She tells People.com, "We were going to take him out to eat, drive around, whatever he wanted to do. We were going to spend the time with my dad."

"His family was the most important thing in the world. And he always had time for family.

"Timmy loved life, he loved people. I was very proud to be his sister, it's such a tremendous loss.

"He was always there for me. No matter how busy he was he would always take our calls or call us - family is number one.

"Tim was a great dad, they were the closest a father could be to a son, a bond as strong as I've ever seen. The love was unimaginable from the day he was born."

Russert's son Luke has expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support he and his mother, Maureen Orth, have received.

He says, "We're holding up as best as can be. She grieves like a wife, and I grieve like a son, so we're mourning differently."

Meanwhile it has been revealed that Russert suffered from asymptomatic coronary artery disease.

His physician tells website TMZ.com that he was surprised by Russert's death, because he had a stress test in April (08) that came back normal.