By John Dempsey, WLS-AM
(CHICAGO) Legendary Chicago Weather Forecaster Harry Volkman has died after a long illness, at the age of 89. Volkman worked in Chicago television for 45 years from 1959 through 2004, for Channels 5, 2, 9, and 32. He was known for his sunny disposition, and colorful boutonnieres that he would wear on his lapel.
ABC Seven meteorologist Tracy Butler told viewers Harry was one of a kind. She said, “I am so fortunate that I got to spend many many weather folk type meetings with Harry and I’ve just always been enamored by his charm and what a legend this man is. What you may not know is Harry was one of the first weather people around the nation to issue a tornado warning”.
Media writer Robert Feder says Volkman broke new ground in forecasting when he delivered a tornado warning on-air at a station in Oklahoma in 1952. At the time warnings were not issued as to not panic members of the public.
Feder reports that Harry Volkman died of a respiratory ailment at the Oakton Pavillion nursing home in Des Plaines, surrounded by family members, including his son, Chicago Radio personality Eddie Volkman.
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