Obituary: Art Gluskoter (1933-2020)

Art Gluskoter passed away on the morning of February 26th after an extended illness shortly before his 87th birthday.

Born to Max and Irene Gluskoter in 1933, Art graduated from Alhambra High School before volunteering to join the military in 1952 during the Korean conflict. A lifetime Southern California native, Art married Priscilla, his wife of 60 years, in 1959 after returning from serving his country in Korea as an Air Force photographer three years earlier.

In the early 60’s he became one of the youngest chief photographers in the history of the Los Angeles Fire Department. He covered the 1965 Watts Riots for them before transitioning to television as a film cameraman for KHJ Channel 9 in 1966. There he would cover the governorships of Edmund (Pat) Brown, Ronald Reagan and Jerry Brown, along with the first term of the Reagan Presidency.

Covering the 1965 Watts Riots.

 

Art filmed the news from both land, sea and hanging out of helicopters. He covered the 1971 Sylmar earthquake and his crew was one of the earliest on the scene at both the Mt. Saint Helens volcanic eruption of 1980 and the ill-fated PSA plane crash in Paso Robles that killed 43 people seven years later. He also covered the 1984 Summer Olympics at the Los Angeles Coliseum and would go on to work for World Vision, a firm that took him to over 30 countries suffering from famine and poverty.

During his career that also saw him take his talents to first KABC Channel 7 and then KTLA Channel 5 he would work with the likes of early Los Angeles newscasting luminaries such as Jerry Dunphy and Baxter Ward, along with sportscasters such as Jim Hill and basketball Hall of Famer Bill Russell.

 

It was those latter relationships that would help serve as a catalyst for him to take his young son to his first Lakers, Dodgers, Rams and Kings games at an early age, laying the groundwork for what would become one of the most enduring passions of that young boy’s life while inadvertently incentivizing him to eventually become a photojournalist himself.

Art was laid-back and enjoyed the simple things in life, whether it be joining his son for an In-N-Out Burger at a local park or a happy hour, or a magnificent home cooked meal prepared by his daughter and son-in-law that spared no expense prior to enjoying a leisurely evening walk with their dogs.

He was a sweet man who very naturally charmed everyone he met in his later years and a wonderful father who will be deeply missed for the remainder of our lives.

Art is survived by his devoted wife Priscilla, loving children Daniel and Nina, and son-in-law Pat, all of whom were blessed to have him in their life.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like to encourage anyone wishing to honor Art‘s memory to kindly make a donation in his name to the American Cancer Society.

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One comment

  1. Art was a terrific neighbor when I lived next door to him for several years in Alhambra. He was always kind and friendly and always had a smile for everyone he came in contact with. May he rest in peace. My love to his family.

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