LAS VEGAS (KLAS) -- Rossi Ralenkotter, one of the people who helped shape modern Las Vegas, died Friday after a long fight with cancer. Ralenkotter worked for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority for 45 years, including 16 years as its president.

The marketing strategies he oversaw were wildly successful, but his departure from public life tarnished an otherwise sterling reputation.

Ralenkotter knew he had only a short time to live when he sat down with our Chief Investigator, George Knapp.

For 16 years, he put a positive face on his battle with cancer. Five times, doctors told him the end was near. Five times, the cancer went into remission. Chemotherapy obliterated his hair. Five times, it grew back, each time in a different color.

“The first time a doctor says to you, ‘yo

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