Bonnie Merrick's List: Huell Howser

• But the spokesman did confirm that it was a form of cancer that killed the legendary host of public television’s long-running series, “California's Gold.”
• Howser, who lived in Twenty-Nine Palms and Los Angeles,
• His style was described as "magnificently unslick"
• A statement on the station's website described Howser as a host who "elevated the simple joys and undiscovered nuggets of living in our great state. He made the magnificence and power of nature seem accessible by bringing it into our living rooms. Most importantly, he reminded us to find the magic and wonderment in our lives every day."
• In September 2011, Howser announced that he planned to donate his "California's Gold" episodes to Chapman University in Orange. The donation includes show episodes, papers and memorabilia related to the show.

• The items are part of the Huell Howser Archive. Howser selected Chapman University because the school's president, James Doti, sent him a note to apologize after failing to connect with Howser during his visit to Orange.

                       

  "That really impressed me -- in this hectic world, to get a personal letter signed by the university president," Howser said of the letter. "That’s the kind of personal contact that resonates with me. It got me thinking about the legacy of my work and how I wanted it to become available to a wider audience."

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• Huell devoted the last two years of his life to assuring that people all over the world – particularly students, teachers and children – would always be able to access his life’s work, by generously donating it to Chapman University.   All 900-plus episodes of “California’s Gold” are now available online, for free public viewing, at www.HuellHowserArchive.com, through the dedicated work of our own Panther Productions.   Huell was very gratified to see that happen.