Marvin Zindler

Marvin Zindler passed away on Sunday.

Marvin was one-of-a-kind, even in the news world. I first saw him on a Houston news program after we moved back to the U.S. in August 1973. Apparently, he had just become a newscaster a month earlier. He dogged his story incessantly and I kept wondering why a ranch that raised chickens was cornering so much of the news. Eventually it became clear that the "Chicken Ranch" had nothing to do with chickens.

When the play, "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas," was presented, I obtained tickets. It was so difficult for me to say "that word," that I just asked for the tickets to the play about the chicken ranch. The ticket vendor smiled knowingly. The play was wonderful, but the movie by the same name was not.

While visiting at my child's school one day, I introduced myself to another mother in attendance. During the course of the conversation, the Zindler name came up. I asked her if she were constantly being asked if she were related to Marvin Zindler. She replied that she was his daughter. She was very nice and we laughed about several experiences she had endured.

Marvin was a showman of the old school. I never met him personally, but he came across the TV screen as a sincere and interested individual. His report was always the highlight of the newscast for me. Of course, it was always interesting to see how he changed in appearance over time. He made no bones about the multiple plastic surgeries he had had.

We'll miss Marvin. I wonder if there will ever be another even remotely like him.