George Fischbeck

George Fischbeck, better known as Dr. George Fischbeck (July 1, 1922 – March 25, 2015) was an American television weatherman on KOB-TV in Albuquerque, New Mexico from the early 1960s to early 1970s. In 1972 he moved to KABC-TV in Los Angeles, replacing Alan Sloane, where he became a staple on the station's Eyewitness News broadcasts. He would retire from KABC-TV in 1990, but returned to television with a brief stint at KCBS-TV from 1994 to 1997.

Early life and career

Fischbeck was born in Wallington, New Jersey, the son of Johanna (Mohlenhoff), a teacher, and George Stelling Fischbeck, a farmer. During World War II, Fischbeck was stationed in Hawaii and worked as a tank mechanic. He worked with the Air National Guard during the Korean War, and began learning basic meteorology. He studied education while attending the University of New Mexico, graduating in 1955 with an MA. Fischbeck worked as an Albuquerque–based teacher for 23 years, which help him develop an "ebullient" personality.

Television career

His unique, sometimes humorous forecasts were unscripted and often turned into an opportunity to educate his viewers on the subject of weather. He started his television career at KNME-TV in Albuquerque as a host of a children's science program. In 1979 he was awarded the Silver Beaver by the Boy Scouts of America for his service to youth. In 2003, he was awarded the LA Area Governors Award for lifetime achievement by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for special and unique contributions to Los Angeles area television. In 2013, Los Angeles City Councilman Tom LaBonge declared April 10 to be Dr. George Day in the city. A month later, Fischbeck's autobiography was published by the University of New Mexico Press. Fischbeck died on March 25, 2015 in Woodland Hills, California.

Personal

Fischbeck was an amateur radio operator, and carried the call sign KE6SBY.

He was a volunteer with the Los Angeles Zoo.

At the end of Tom Waits' comic song "Emotional Weather Report" (from his 1975 album Nighthawks at the Diner), he quips, "Dr. George Fischbeck ain't got nothin' on me!"

Mark Jonathan Davis recorded a parody of Mötley Crüe's "Dr. Feelgood" called "Dr. Fischbeck" about the weatherman.