ENTERTAINER PRAISED BY ALL HE HAD TOUCHED.

Byline: James Nash and Dana Bartholomew Staff Writers

TOLUCA LAKE - His daughter remembered him Monday as a man with a spontaneous wit and ready smile. His neighbors recalled him as a gracious host and a down-to-earth philanthropist. And people who never met Bob Hope called him an all-around entertainer and funnyman who embodied American patriotism even though he was born in Great Britain.

Hope's death Sunday night was mourned throughout Los Angeles, particularly in the tree-lined San Fernando Valley neighborhood where Hope and his wife, Dolores, made their home since 1938.

There, on Moorpark Street in Toluca Lake, Hope's neighbors remembered his social events that drew neighborhood folks as well as U.S. presidents, his razor-sharp memory for names and details, and a devotion to friends that transcended years and show business trends.

``He's never been a celebrity to us,'' said Margo Kurtz, who has lived across the street from the Hopes since 1960. ``He's always been a friend - an incredible, loyal friend.''

Hope's daughter, Linda Hope, said there was little difference between the real Bob Hope and the one millions of Americans saw on television and in movies. Both were eager to please, whether before an audience of soldiers overseas or an intimate family gathering. Both were quick with one-liners. And both reveled in the simple joy of life itself.

``Probably full of fun is the way I would most describe him,'' Linda Hope said at a news conference at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in North Hollywood. ``He was very happy with his life and felt very blessed to be able to do what he was able to do.''

News of Hope's death rippled quickly though Toluca Lake, an upscale community in the southeastern San Fernando Valley that also was home to Bing Crosby. Hope hosted charity events at his home and practically became synonymous with Toluca Lake, said Mardi Rustam, publisher of the Tolucan Times and an old friend of Hope's.

``It's a physical loss but not a spiritual one,'' Rustam said. ``He is in everybody's mind and thoughts.''

Los Angeles Councilman Tom LaBonge, who represents Toluca Lake, said Hope can't be replaced.

``He really was the king of the Valley of the Stars. He gave great glamour to Toluca Lake and the San Fernando Valley.''

Fans of Hope made pilgrimages to Hollywood, where they silently paid respects at the comic's four stars along the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

On Monday morning, shortly after Hope's death was announced, Hollywood's honorary mayor, Johnny Grant, placed a shrine of red, white and blue flowers over a polished brass inlay on Hope's star in front of the AMC Hollywood Galaxy and Hollywood Entertainment Museum.

Throughout the day, fans from all over the world stopped to snap a photo, interview before TV cameras, or drop by such mementos as the handwritten lyrics to his theme song, ``Thanks for the Memory,'' written in pencil.

Each praised the man who had entertained an estimated 11 million servicemen and -women through five wars and millions more people on the big screen and TV. Some said they never missed a Bob Hope Christmas special.

``I'm ready to cry,'' said Rhonda Granberg, 57, of Seattle. ``He represented patriotism, a loyalty to this country, even though he wasn't born here.''

For tourist Helen Macklin, 49, of Birmingham, England, Hope's beginnings on British soil were important.

``He was British, first and foremost,'' said Macklin, tongue in cheek. ``Then we let you have him: We loaned him to you for 97 years.''

Vietnam veteran Ralph Purcell, 56, of Carmel, Ind., said Hope was an icon among combat veterans of his age.

``I was a sniper coming out of the bush to go to (see Hope perform) comedy and get a laugh - that was the only sanity we had.''

Bill Ramsey, 47, a self-appointed Hollywood guide, recalled eagerly appearing at a Hope rehearsal as a 7-year-old boy in his native Austin, Texas, hoping to catch an autograph. Hope, putting his arm around the boy, handed him two tickets and asked him to be his special guest. It was a kindness never forgotten.

``Thanks for the memories,'' read a ribbon across a standing bouquet behind a roped-off set of Bob Hope's hand and shoe prints - cobbler's nails still visible - set in 1943 in front of Grauman's Chinese Theatre.

``We've lost our Hope,'' read a sign.

``You notice he put his nose (in),'' chuckled Ramsey, gazing at the concrete and pointing to a ski-slope triangle set to the left of Hope's left pinkie 60 year earlier. ``It's his last joke - it'll be here forever.''

Hope received the Ronald Reagan Presidential Freedom Award in May 1997 on his 94th birthday. Well known as a golfing buddy to several presidents, including Reagan, their relationship was celebrated with a special exhibit at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley commemorating his 100th birthday in May of this year.

A limited amount of memorabilia is still available from that exhibit and visitors to the museum Monday browsed through items such as key chains, sleeves of golf balls bearing Hope's familiar ski nose or copies of ``Dear Prez, I Wanna Tell Ya'' featuring Hope's West Wing humor, signed by Nancy Reagan and Dolores Hope.

Phoenix visitor Jim Toth was one of those who picked up a bit of Hope memorabilia, fingering a golf ball as his wife shopped nearby.

``We thought it was fitting that we'd be here on the day of his death,'' Toth said, smiling at the memory of Hope's career. ``I have no personal experience with his wartime entertaining, but I think it was wonderful that he did that.''

Television networks quickly made room in their schedules for tribute programs that sought to pay respects, bring a few laughs and demonstrate his wide appeal.

A&E aired its two-hour ``Biography'' installment on Hope, CBS's Dan Rather hosted a prime-time tribute to the comic and NBC opened its prime-time block with a two-minute reflection. NBC's retrospective produced last spring for the comedian's 100th birthday was given a repeat showing on sister network Bravo.

``The Tonight Show with Jay Leno'' closed with Leno's touching personal recollections of the man he credited with inventing the monologue. Leno said in his early days of guest-hosting the show he had difficulty lining up guests, but Hope often made himself available, arranging appearances as if Leno were doing Hope the favor.

Leno praised Hope's humorous handling of some touchy subjects, such as his reply when Dolores Hope asked her husband where he would like to be buried: ``Surprise me.''

Los Angeles Mayor James Hahn joined in the tribute to Hope, ordering the flags at city buildings lowered to half-staff.

``I am deeply saddened by the loss of one of the greatest entertainers the world has ever seen,'' Hahn said. ``From his early days in radio to his subsequent years as a stand-up comedian, Bob Hope was an American hero who made three generations laugh.

``Los Angeles mourns the death of one of its greatest residents.''

Staff Writers Carol Rock and Rick Orlov contributed to this story.

James Nash, [phone]

james.nash(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

7 photos

Photo:

(1 -- 4; 1 color only) An amused Bob Hope, above, watches during the taping of a television special celebrating his 90th birthday. During his career, Hope entertained U.S. troops overseas, above left, starred in the ``Road'' movies with Bing Crosby and Dorothy Lamour, center, and was master of ceremonies for the Oscar awards 13 times, although he never won an Oscar for acting.

Evan Yee/Staff Photographer

(5 -- color) Linda Hope speaks about her father's life at a news conference Monday at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in North Hollywood.

Tina Burch/Staff Photographer

(6 -- color) Marie Cornelius of Toluca Lake places a sign Monday near Bob Hope's prints at Grauman's Chinese Theatre.

(7 -- color) Cards written by fans lie near one of Bob Hope's stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame 

Michael Owen Baker/Staff Photographer