The people who worked for the legendary creator of "60 Minutes" are reminiscing about their old boss tonight, following his death earlier today.

Television news veteran Morley Safer is writing some of his toughest words yet. He's saying goodbye to the creator of 60 minutes, Don Hewitt.

"I've lost a great friend, a great mentor and a great friendly enemy," Safer said.

Hewitt was legendary for his passion and for pushing his correspondents, as he helped turn CBS News into the gold standard in the 60s and 70s . First, as the Executive Producer of the CBS Evening News and then 60 Minutes.

He passed away Monday at his home in Bridgehampton , NY from pancreatic cancer. He was 86.

"The world of broadcasting has lost it's pioneer. I mean Don invented television news. Pretty much," said Bob Simon.

When Hewitt created the iconic "60 Minutes " in 1968, he also invented the news magazine show.

"He considered himself a representative of the people. And he broadcast what they thought he would be interested in," said Simon.

The show won 73 Emmy's during Hewitt's 36 years at the helm. And it wasn't until after his 80th birthday that he handed the job over to Jeff Fager.

"I miss him, i miss him very much. I think everybody does. It's a tough day on the floor," Fager said.

"Very few people can leave the world the way he did. With this kind of legacy, where millions of people are tuning in every Sunday night. And he was very proud of that."