KCAL9 reporter Alan Mendelson dies at 70

LOS ANGELES – CBS is reporting one of their long-time reporters has died.

Alan Mendelson, 70, was known for sharing tips on where his viewers could find savings on electronics and jewelry.

“With much sadness and a collective broken heart, our family is sad to announce that our brother, Alan Mendelson, passed away on Wednesday at his home in Las Vegas,” his brother Seth Mendelson said in a heartfelt tribute on Facebook.

Alan was a unique fellow for many reasons. He had a long career in broadcast journalism, beginning his professional journey as a disc jockey and news reporter for two local Rockland County radio stations (WRKL and WKQW). He was also the co-host of a Saturday morning youth-oriented television show on WOR-TV in New York City. All of this was accomplished BEFORE he reached his 17th birthday.

While attending Syracuse University, Alan got a job with a local TV station as a roving reporter. After graduation in 1973, he stayed on at that station in Syracuse for three more years. Then it was on to New York, where he worked the assignment desk for the “CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite” and he developed strong friendships with Cronnkite, TV news pioneer Douglas Edwards and Dan Rather, among many other leaders in news industry. He made a name for himself as the person who broke the news of the death of former New York governor and vice president Nelson Rockefeller.

But Alan wanted to be in front of the camera. So he took a news reporting job in Miami with Channel Four News (WTVJ). For some reason, Alan was sent to Ethiopia where he covered a civil war and was pinned down by enemy fire for several hours before friendly troops were able to get him and his crew to safety.

Eventually Alan made his way to Los Angeles where he served as the on-air consumer reporter for more than 25 years for channel 9 (K-CAL).

He would encourage viewers to visit pawn shops and discount electronic stores as a way to save money.

Mendelson is survived by his son Jason, daughter Marisa, grandson Merritt, brother Seth, sisters Leslie and Betsy as well as his nieces and nephews.