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Iconic local Los Angeles KABC weatherman "Dr. George" Fischbeck has died at 92, KABC reports, citing Fischbeck's family.
The enthusiastic Fischbeck (and his signature bowtie and glasses) worked for KABC for almost 20 years before leaving to do features in the 1990s with KCBS, according to the Los Angeles Times.
"My personality — call me ebullient, if you insist — was shaped long ago," Fischbeck told the Times in a 1977 profile. "When I talk about the weather, I come on strong, like an evangelist making a high-powered tour of Sin City."
Fischbeck spoke about his memoir, "My Life in Weather," with Patt Morrison for KPCC in 2013. He talked about getting started working as a forecaster with the National Weather Service, using photocopied maps to show people what was going on. He also talked about how he made a personal connection with viewers.
"I knew everybody in the viewing audience," Fischbeck told KPCC. "They were all my friends to begin with, and when I opened up and said, 'My friends,' they knew who I was talking to. And I've got their attention, and that's the whole secret."
Watch Fischbeck deliver the weather on KABC:
Fischbeck delivers the weather
Fischbeck used his talents at grabbing people's attention to teach people about the weather. He was honored in 2013 by the Los Angeles City Council and Councilman Tom LaBonge, marking April 10 as Dr. George Day in Los Angeles, according to KABC.
"For many Angelenos, Dr. George was more than just the weatherman," his alma mater KABC wrote in his obituary. "He taught us about jet streams, high and low pressures and millibars. When he was giving us his forecast for the highs and lows for the next day, he'd also remind us to be good citizens and take care of each other.
KABC also notes his charity work, including collecting toys for children at Porterville State Hospital.
See Fischbeck explaining how TV news works in a three-part documentary:
Fischbeck with current KABC weatherman Dallas Raines: