We don't know that it'll necessarily have any bearing on the discussion over the landmarking of San Francisco's Doggie Diner sign, but SFist wanted to note the passing of the sign's designer last weekend.

Harold Sherwood Bachman designed the giant rotating dachshund heads for Al Ross, the owner of the chain. According to the Chronicle's obituary: "Mr. Bachman picked a dachshund because the menu featured 'wiener dogs,'' he said. 'I just made the drawings,'' Mr. Bachman said. 'Me, I had a malamute.'"

Our favorite part of the story: apparently, Mr. Bachman salvaged one of the defunct heads and installed it in his son's bedroom:

"It scared me sometimes,'' Will Bachman recalled. "I'd wake up in the middle of the night and see that thing staring at me from the corner of my bedroom. It could be frightening.''

Mr. Bachman died in Santa Rosa last Saturday. He was 84 years old.

Thanks to friend of SFist Helene for the tip!
Photo by Paul Chinn of the SF Chronicle