To the editor: When I heard of Bob Newhart's death, I thought it might be hard for some to believe that this charming gentleman was an almost daily visitor for much of the 60 years of my family's Bel Air Camera in Westwood.
Although Newhart was one of our first loyal credit account customers, I became more aware of his visits over the past two decades.
Sometimes he wasn't there to shop. He would park in our lot, come in to chat with the vendors, and make himself at home before having lunch while reading a book at the restaurant across the street.
I also passed by the shop many times during those years and always loved seeing him. I fondly remember one conversation in particular.
I had recently been told to watch a five-minute sketch of his on the internet and I watched it several times in a row and whenever I needed a laugh, I told him about it and he responded with a big smile and seemed delighted to tell me, “It's everyone's favourite!”
So if you're a long-time fan or just curious because you've never seen or heard of him, you might want to take his recommendation and look up his “Stop It” sketch.
It actually contains some very good advice, and watching it is a great way to thank a comic genius.
Patricia Herskovic, Los Angeles
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To the editor: Many, many years ago, I was in a RadioShack store in Westwood and Bob Newhart was in line in front of me. I told him I hated to bother him, but I just wanted him to know that both of my children had his son Tim as their history teacher at school and they loved him.
His eyes filled with tears as he told me how much it meant to him to hear from one of his children. It was a quick but meaningful interaction, and I have never forgotten it.
Michele Adashek, Los Angeles
