Longtime San Diego television broadcaster Larry Himmel has died, his colleagues announced Wednesday.
Himmel, 68, reported on weather or sports for years for KFMB-TV but was known by so many for his ability to bring memorable stories about San Diego into our homes.
Former colleagues describe him as witty, funny, insightful, genuine and an iconic San Diego personality.
“What you see on screen, that’s exactly who he is off camera,” colleague Hank Bauer said in a video tribute.
CBS News 8 - San Diego, CA News Station - KFMB Channel 8
He started as a feature reporter in San Diego in 1979. Part of that long television career was spent here at KNSD. He also produced a half-hour comedy show for years.
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Larry's talent transcended all subject matters, said NBC 7's Marianne Kushi who once worked with Himmel.
"He was not the 'Jack of All Trades', he was the master of all of them," Kushi said. "He found the little stories, those little gems of San Diego and shared them with us."
NBC 7's Jason Austell said he admired Himmel and his "San Diego at Large" program and then found himself later in life sitting next to him at San Diego Chargers games listening to his stories in the press box.
"I had so many laughs with him," Austell said adding that Himmel was "absolutely genuine."
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NBC 7's Artie Ojeda said he was a high school student when he started watching Himmel on local television.
"What an absolute honor it was to work alongside him during my tenure at Channel 8," Ojeda said Thursday describing Himmel as "a tremendous talent, but more importantly, an incredibly nice man."
Ojeda said all the tributes he's reading online about Larry are absolutely true.
"He will be missed," he added. "My thoughts are with his family and all of our friends at KFMB."
Himmel passed away after a battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife and son.
Share your favorite memory of Larry on NBC 7's Facebook page or in our comments section below.
