Daily Times guest columnist Bette Alburger lamented the passing of Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek this week and recalled his visit to Delaware County years back.

He was the keynote speaker at a Delco Hi-Q academic quiz dinner at the Drexelbrook Corporate Events Center in Drexel Hill.

Alburger was covering the dinner and got a last-minute interview with Trebek. He answered every question with a smile.

“From that unforgettable but unexpected experience, I discovered that he was just as personable and likable off-camera as on,” she wrote.

The room was full of students, teachers, administrators, parents, event sponsors, and invited guests.

Trebek steered clear of a table for dignitaries, eating instead with each of the three winning student teams.

At the end of the evening, he made sure to visit with students at the far end of the room, who had only been able to see him on large TV screens in the room.

Alburger’s association with Jeopardy! didn’t end with that dinner. Three years later, she would interview Ken Jennings at a similar Delco Hi-Q banquet after winning a million dollars on Jeopardy!, earning the show’s “Greatest of All Time” title.

Read more in the Daily Times about Alex Trebek’s connection to Delaware County.

You Might Also Like                            

Wayne Man Takes Down Paoli Woman Who Defeated Jeopardy! Champ James Holzhauer

From CHESCO: Paoli Native Dethrones Jeopardy! Champion Whose Winning Streak Captivated the Nation

Havertown Resident, Ridley High School Teacher Continues Winning Streak on Jeopardy!