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For the German meteorologist, see Richard Assmann.
Dick Assman
Born
Richard Arthur Assman

(1934-02-14)February 14, 1934
Neudorf, Saskatchewan, Canada
DiedAugust 15, 2016(2016-08-15) (aged 82)
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
OccupationGas station employee
Known forAppearances on the Late Show with David Letterman
Parents
  • Adolf Assman (father)
  • Elizabeth Assman (mother)

Richard Arthur Assman (February 14, 1934 – August 15, 2016) was a Canadian gas station employee whose name propelled him to celebrity status across North America for four months in 1995.

Career

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In 1995, Assman moved from working at one Petro-Canada station to another. The latter station's owner took out an advertisement in the local newspaper that was sent anonymously to David Letterman, who was amused by Assman's name.[1] Assman was introduced on July 24, 1995, on the Late Show with David Letterman, where he was a nightly feature for about a month. During this time, he was known as "Assman the Gasman".[2]

Live field units in Canada interviewed him for the show. Over the weeks, Joe Namath declared himself an "Ass-maniac", while Assman received a musical tribute from Tony Orlando[3] on Letterman:

Northgate Petro-Canada
Oh, they're relocating
Their new office at Victoria Square
They're celebrating
Oh vaya con dios, Dick Assman
Vaya con dios, my love

As his fame grew,[4][2][5] Vancouver polling company Angus Reid Public Opinion reported that 49 percent of surveyed Canadians in September 1995 had heard of his name.[6] He received a request to judge a bikini contest in August 1995 for the Janetville Jamboree and Truck Pull in Janetville, Ontario.[2] "Assmania" came to a close in August when Assman visited the Ed Sullivan Theater and was presented with a bouquet of roses by Letterman.[7]

In October 1995, James Blanchard, the U.S. ambassador to Canada, paid a visit to Assman at his gas station, citing his status as "an international celebrity".[8]

Dick Assman himself, who took all this ribbing good-naturedly, pronounced his name "oss-man".[1]

Personal life

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Assman was born in Neudorf, Saskatchewan, to Adolf and Elizabeth Assman.[9] He died on August 15, 2016.[10]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Dick Assman still chuckles over his David Letterman fame". cbc.ca. May 15, 2015. Archived from the original on August 15, 2016. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
  2. ^ a b c "What a cheek: The Assman is coming to Ontario". Toronto Star. 4 August 1995. p. A14. Archived from the original on 4 September 2014. Retrieved 3 September 2014.
  3. ^ Late Show w/David Letterman - Dick Assman Part 1 on YouTube
  4. ^ "Assmania goes on tour". Waterloo Region Record. 9 August 1995. ProQuest 275439121.
  5. ^ "Letterman's Regina pal takes the Late Night ribbing in his stride". Waterloo Region Record. 28 July 1995. ProQuest 275606091.
  6. ^ Luscombe, Belinda (October 2, 1995). "NEXT: I.P. DALY ON NIGHTLINE". Time. Archived from the original on 2007-07-17.
  7. ^ "What's in a name? Ask Letterman guest". Free Lance-Star. 21 August 1995. Retrieved 2023-07-26.
  8. ^ "Ambassador visits Assman". Waterloo Region Record. 5 October 1995. ProQuest 275425185.
  9. ^ "Obituary of Richard Assman". speersfuneralchapel.com. August 15, 2016. Archived from the original on August 20, 2016. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
  10. ^ Hudes, Sammy (August 19, 2016). "Dick Assman of Letterman fame dies at 82". thestar.com. Archived from the original on August 19, 2016. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
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