Posted on 07/05/2007 5:35:17 PM PDT by trumandogz
Legendary Houston newsman Marvin Zindler is suffering from inoperable pancreatic cancer.
Zindler, who turns 86 on Aug. 10, said in a report filed for Channel 13's 6 p.m. newscast Thursday that he has pancreatic cancer that has spread to his liver.
"I don't want anybody to feel sorry for me because I'm almost 86 years old," said Zindler, who looked wan and tired in the report.
Despite the news, the consumer affairs reporter — who has worked for KTRK for 35 years and has a lifetime contract with the station — said he planned on filing reports as usual, beginning Friday with his weekly "rat and roach" restaurant report.
Pancreatic cancer is the fourth most common cancer in men and the fifth most common in women in the United States. Another beloved Houston newsman, Sylvan Rodriguez, died of the disease in 2000.
Zindler has endured prostate cancer and two heart bypass surgeries, not to mention many plastic surgeries.
He gave us the La Grange Chicken Ranch story thus "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.
More importantly, Marvin has spent the last 35 years helping people in Houston not only with consumer issues but has also helped hundreds perhaps thousands receive medical treatment.
His "Slime in the Ice Machine" or "Rat & Roach" Reports have kept Houston eating establishments clean for years.
He always seems like a really decent and nice man.
Marvin Zindler, Eye Witness News!!!!And the nuster of the Best Little Whorehouse in Texas at Lagrange.
Time to call in Dr. Red Duke!
Great actually. When I was a kid in Houston we lived in the same neighborhood and he was very friendly and always willing to talk to kids. Once when I was around eight or nine I saw him at the local mall and asked for his autograph. He just said, “wait right here, I got to go to my car for a picture.” He returned, talked to us for a while and gave us autographs.
The best thing about Marvin is that at least a couple times a week for the last 30 years he would find medical treatment for poor children that did not have access to health care. He saved many lives.
I remember these reports.
I have not lived in Houston for 20 years but reading this makes me want to cry and I am a cynica SOB.
Zindler’s been around since I was a kid. I never did know what to make of him, with the hair piece and sunglasses. But I always did like to watch him. He’s one of a kind and a decent fellow.
“Eye Witness News” and “slime in the ice machine.” I’ll remember those 2 phrases when I’m 86 years old.
So will I, especially the emphasis he'd place on Eye. Seems as if Channel 13 was always our go-to station for all of the years and different times I lived in Houston. Anyone remember Jungle Theatre on Saturday mornings around 6:30? Or did anyone else ever get to stick their hands into the money tree and come out with a handful of pennies on Kitirik?
Aaahh! Memories!
When it was hitting the fan in Houston, you always turned to 13.
When was the Jungle Theatre, must have been before my time?
Probably somewhere around '58 or a little later. It ran a lot of the old Tarzan, Sheena and Bomba movies. I'm guessing 1958 or later simply because I was old enough (6 or 7 years old) at the time to use the toaster and one of my favorite things to do was to make me a lightly toasted Miracle Whip sandwich. I'd be the only one up and there was nothing better than to have my sandwich and a big cold glass of milk while watching the antics of the different animals in the old movies.
When it was hitting the fan in Houston, you always turned to 13.
Yep, trusted Ed Brandon's forecasts for many years! Not sure if he was the forecaster when Carla came through or not. No, wait...as I may be getting confused here. Was there a guy who had glasses and wore a bowtie who did weather before Brandon came along? Or am I confusing Dallas and Houston forecasters?
I left Houston 13 years ago. I remember Marvin. Good luck old man.
RIP
Bumping your #18.
A Houston legend. May he rest in peace.
What a character! What a nice man.
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