Remembering Huell Howser

Huell Howser fans gather at Griffith Observatory on Tuesday to celebrate the life of the beloved television host who profiled California places and personalities.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

The Kvarda family, self-described longtime viewers of TV host Huell Howser, leave behind flowers and a note at the memorial tribute at Griffith Observatory.   (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

L.A. City Councilman Tom LaBonge, who arranged the memorial tribute for Huell Howser at the Griffith Observatory, holds up a photo of Howser at the event. LaBonge and Howser were longtime friends.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Rep. Janice Hahn (D-San Pedro) issued a plaque in Huell Howser’s honor. Howser, who died last week at the age of 67, became a California household name in three decades of exploring the state’s people and places in his homespun television shows.   (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Gloria Pink, dressed in pink, took a break from her family’s famed 73-year-old hot dog stand to attend the memorial tribute for Huell Howser at Griffth Observatory on Tuesday. She is holding a California-shaped sign, pulled off the wall for the occasion, for the $5.80 “Huell Dawg” -- two hot dogs in one bun, with mustard, chili, cheese and onions.   (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Tuesday’s memorial tribute to Huell Howser featured a lineup of speeches, including from the director of the Griffith Observatory, the executive director of the Los Angeles Conservancy and pop culture historian Charles Phoenix. As the sun began sinking just before 5 p.m., an LAPD helicopter circled in a salute.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Hundreds gather to remember the life of TV host Huell Howser during a memorial tribute at Griffith Observatory. Some teared up as they affectionately swapped stories about him with the strangers they found themselves standing next to in the crowd.   (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)