Post by Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe on Aug 20, 2010 22:22:33 GMT -6
Jack Horkheimer "The Star Hustler" is dead.
Jack Horkhiemer, who we all grew up with, watching his astronomical snippets on PBS stations in the wee hours of the morning has died.
Jack Horkheimer, Public Television's ``Star Gazer,'' died Friday afternoon of a respiratory ailment, according to a spokesman for the Miami Museum of Science and Space Transit Planetarium.
Jack was executive director of [the] Planetarium for over 35 years and was an internationally recognized pioneer in popularizing naked-eye astronomy. He was also a recognized media celebrity, often being the foremost commentator on all astronomy related happenings nationwide.
Horkheimer was best known as the creator, writer and host of public television's ``Star Gazer,'' the 30-year weekly TV series on naked eye astronomy. Seen on PBS stations nationwide, ``Star Gazer'' reached millions of people, helping create a love of the stars for several generations of enthusias
Born June 11, 1938, he was 72.
www.miamiherald.com/2010/08/20/1785361/star-gazer-host-jack-horkheimer.html#ixzz0xCxbg1tA
I remember one show where he was incredibly ill with the flu, yet still went on to tell us about the celestial events. He garnered my total respect after that.
He also used Tomita's "Arabesque No1 for his theme song:
From what I understand, he enjoyed sharing his love astronomy with people, and even as director of Miami's Planetarium, he wasn't tainted with the greater-than-thou attitude most isolated administrators seem to display.
I will miss him greatly, sitting on Saturn's rings...
Thanks Jack...and I will continue to "Keep Looking up!"