January 2013 - Huell Howser Passes Away
Fans of host and producer Huell Howser, who amazed legions and generations of KCET viewers since 1985, were saddened, along with the KCET family itself, to learn of his unexpected passing at age 67 on January 7, 2013.
In November 2012, Howser quietly and suddenly announced his retirement from producing shows like his popular "California's Gold" series, effective at the end of the year. He also endowed his entire California's Gold Productions archive to Chapman University in Orange, of which he was a longtime supporter of.
Known publicly for his large stature, friendly demeanor, and exuberant Tennessee drawl, Howser lived a decidedly private life off-camera. His cause of death, revealed through the media via a public document search of his death certificate, was revealed to be prostate cancer, though few people knew about his illness.
Days later, on January 15, 2012, hundreds of fans and well-wishers gathered on the lawn of the Griffith Observatory in a public memorial to Howser which featured public officials as well as KCET president and CEO Al Jerome. The crowd ended the gathering by singing "California, Here I Come" as the sun set.
Howser's ashes were scattered at sea, off the coast of Los Angeles, and at various locations around California, according to his wishes.
Howser's legacy still lives on at KCET, where his "Visiting...with Huell Howser" and "California's Gold" programs still air, and at Chapman University, which houses the "That's Amazing: Thirty Years of Huell Howser and California's Gold" permanent exhibit and archives at its Leatherby Libraries.
"SoCal Connected" aired this obituary of Howser following his death:
