For a long time, there were only two individuals who attracted me t to FoxNews -- Brit Hume and Tony Snow.

Sadly, this morning's perusal of the Web brings reports of the death of one of those men -- consummate commentator and former White House press secretary Tony Snow.

Tony Snow, a conservative writer and commentator who cheerfully sparred with reporters in the White House briefing room during a stint as President Bush's press secretary, died Saturday of colon cancer. He was 53.

''America has lost a devoted public servant and a man of character,'' President Bush said in a statement from Camp David, where he was spending the weekend. ''It was a joy to watch Tony at the podium each day. He brought wit, grace, and a great love of country to his work.''

Snow, who served as the first host of the television news program ''Fox News Sunday'' from 1996 to 2003, would later say that in the Bush administration he was enjoying ''the most exciting, intellectually aerobic job I'm ever going to have.''

Snow provided what I believe to be the only effective service by a press secretary during the Bush Administration. His wit, feistiness, and charm, coupled with a command of the facts, made him the standard to which future press secretaries should aspire.

It is sad to see him leave us too young.

May God care for and comfort his family at this time.