JUST GOT OFF THE PHONE WITH PETER GIDDINGS...the KGO-TV meteorologist that worked alongside Van Amburg for nearly 30 years ..and was a part of the "News Scene" team (along with Jerry Jensen and John O'Reilly)Amburg passed away last Thursday.
Giddings was shaken.
"I'm shocked, " he said. "He was about as good as it gets." "Really, I can't believe he's gone."
"Van was the consummate professional--he was never satisfied with the finished product and always thought there was room for improvement." "I've never met anyone like that."
"He was always looking out for us; (KGO staffers) and was protective of 'us when management tried to intervene. It was that way until the end when he fought hard to become 'Managing Editor." It wasn't about ego; seriously, he was just determined to keep the product looking good and he succeeded."
About his private life:
"If you asked about the boys, that was OK; everyone else, his wife, he was extremely private and would not offer anything; will always respect him for that."
Finally:
"There was no one like Van, no one, and there never will be."
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