CITY NEWS SERVICE
Los Angeles City Councilman Tom LaBonge on Wednesday announced plans for a public memorial for Huell Howser at the Griffith Observatory.
LaBonge invited friends and fans of the long-time host of KCET’s “California’s Gold” to gather at the landmark observatory on Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. for a sunset memorial.
Howser died of natural causes at age 67 early Monday at his Palm Springs home. The native Tennessean, who had been a feature reporter for television stations in Nashville and New York City before moving to Los Angeles, endeared himself to public television audiences, taking viewers on the road with him to explore little-known attractions across the state.
His “California’s Gold” show ran for 19 years on KCET.
“Huell had a tremendous enthusiasm for California landmarks like the Griffith Observatory,” said LaBonge, who was sworn into office by Howser in 2001. “And now we must say goodbye to our own California landmark, Huell Howser.”
Howser was a U.S. Marine and an aide to former U.S. Sen. Howard Baker before starting his career in television.
A shuttle to and from the observatory from the the Greek Theatre parking lot will be offered for overflow crowds, LaBonge’s office said.
Tuesday’s sunset will be at 5:07 p.m.