I’m blessed to have been counted among Larry’s closest friends since we began work at Channel 8 the same week in 1979.
We were down-the-street neighbors for four years in the 80s, and he was best man at my wedding in 1986.
Larry came to San Diego as a hipster radio deejay ("The Cruiser") and standup comic, and quickly evolved into an amazing five-tool player in broadcast journalism -- reporting news, sports, weather, entertainment stories, and producing his own daily variety show "Himmel at Large."
Distinguished as he was in his career, he was a prince of a human being – a tireless charity volunteer and fundraiser, an uncommon man with a common touch that resonated on the streets and wherever quickly people recognized him (which was virtually anywhere).
Pardon my personal bias, but I feel the world is a poorer place now that Larry has left us, wanting for the kind of wit and wisdom that came so easily to him, and a bit darker without the bright light of his magnetic personality.
Peace be with you, my dear friend.
Gino
