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Here’s a look of pictures from after Assman’s name became famous.

Assman would soon come to know well who Letterman was when he was promptly invited to appear on the Late Show.

On Aug. 18, 1995 Assman, wearing his Petro-Canada hat, stood in front of a packed studio audience with Letterman.

During the show Letterman commented on Assman’s handshake. “It just occurs to me, this guy pumps gas for a living. He’s got a hold of that nozzle,” Letterman said.

Assman worked as a gas station attendant almost his whole life. He was born south of Melville in Neudorf on Feb. 14, 1934 to Adolf and Elizabeth Assman, the third of nine children.

“He never was married, he never owned a house or no kids and so when he was retired in that little short time there he said to me, ‘I don’t know what I’m going to do with myself,’ ” Marlene said.

Assman lived a simple life except for his 15 minutes of fame. He never travelled far except for the trip to New York to see Letterman.

“He didn’t need a lot to be happy, but he liked to be with people, that was the big thing. He liked to be with people,” Marlene said.

Two weeks ago Assman worked his last day at the Petro-Canada on south Albert Street. He then went into the hospital to have a stent put into his heart. On Monday he was released and went to stay with Marlene and her husband Don. The two had made up a bed for him and planned to nurse him back to health.

“Him and I were sitting here waiting for the Blue Jays to come on. And we were talking sports and then he had this burning sensation in his stomach,” said Don.

The couple called an ambulance to take him back to Regina, he passed away shortly after.

A celebration of life will be held at Speers Funeral Chapel, 2136 College Ave., on Monday at 1 p.m.

arobinson@postmedia.com

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