Bob Harte, a star on the Discovery Channel’s reality show “The Last Alaskans,” died Saturday, July 22, 2017, in Fairbanks, Alaska, according to a message on the show’s Facebook page. Harte, who had cancer, was 66.

“It is with a heavy heart that we announce Bob Harte has passed away,” the message said. “He was a beloved member of the Discovery family, and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.”

He was born Jan. 23, 1951, in Jersey City, New Jersey. When he was 21, after briefly attending college, he decided to hitchhike his way to Alaska, where he has lived for the last 40 years.

“The Last Alaskans” followed the life of Harte and others who live in the remote wilderness of Alaska. Over three seasons of the show (the first on Animal Planet, and the other two on Discovery), Harte developed a devoted fan base, including a Facebook community that numbers more than 14,000. The show had chronicled Harte’s experience with cancer. To attend to his health, he had left his home in Alaska and the show during its second season in 2016. Fans were elated when, after beginning to recover, he returned to the show earlier in 2017.

Harte is survived by his former wife, Nancy; his daughter, Talicia; stepson, Traver; foster son, Steve; and a team of dogs.