A huge loss because he was a rare true prince, an exceptionally fine man, kind and down to earth and elegant all at the same time. Capable of the magic of orating in vernacular. So much so that any attempts to demonize him were a big fail. 

It's a big loss just to not have him leading the impeachment effort. He could do it and make it seem utterly honorable fair and objective. Compare Adam Schiff--let's be honest about him--has a hard time not coming off smarmy and entitled, or Nadler-the milquetoast problem.

Look at this, perfect example of what I am saying, from the NYTimes obit, incredible praise:

Even Trey Gowdy, the Republican former congressman from South Carolina who fought bitterly with Mr. Cummings during the 2012 hearings into the terrorist attacks in Benghazi, Libya, said on Twitter that “Elijah Cummings was one of the most powerful, beautiful & compelling voices in American politics.”

He added: “The power and the beauty came from his authenticity, his conviction, the sincerity with which he held his beliefs. We rarely agreed on political matters.”

Trump praised Cummings

President Trump on Thursday mourned the death of Rep. Elijah Cummings(D-Md.), tweeting that the late congressman and fierce critic of the administration would be "hard, if not impossible, to replace."

"My warmest condolences to the family and many friends of Congressman Elijah Cummings. I got to see first hand the strength, passion and wisdom of this highly respected political leader," Trump tweeted. "His work and voice on so many fronts will be very hard, if not impossible, to replace!"

https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/466234-trump-on-cummings-death-he-will-be-very-hard-if-not-impossible-to