Dick Fletcher
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Dick Fletcher | |
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Born | Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. | September 18, 1942
Died | February 26, 2008 St. Petersburg, Florida, U.S. | (aged 65)
Nationality | American |
Other names | Fletch |
Known for | Television meteorologist |
Spouse | Cindy |
Children | Sean, Stephanie, and Chrystine |
Richard R. Fletcher (September 18, 1942 – February 26, 2008) was a broadcast meteorologist. He was Chief Meteorologist for WTSP in St. Petersburg, Florida, for 28 years. He was a holder of the American Meteorological Society Seal of Approval, having received it in 1978.[1]
Early life
Fletcher, a native of
In the early 1970s, he began working as a full-time meteorologist at KOA-TV in
Career
During his lengthy broadcasting career, Fletcher flew aboard reconnaissance aircraft missions into three
Hurricane Charley
During the
Personal
He lived in St. Petersburg with his wife, Cindy, and had three adult children.[5] Fletcher was an avid tennis player, often playing in the morning at the St. Petersburg Tennis Center. He was also an avid baseball fan.
Illnesses and death
On November 24, 2003, Fletcher suffered a stroke at the TV station just before a 4 p.m. news broadcast. Subsequent to his first stroke, he made frequent public appearances for the cause of stroke survival and prevention.
On February 18, 2008, Fletcher suffered a second massive stroke while at home.[6] He subsequently died at St. Anthony's Hospital in St. Petersburg early on the morning of February 26, 2008. He was 65 years old according to his obituary.[7]
On February 26, 2009, Fletcher's former WTSP colleagues paid tribute to the man they affectionately remembered as "Fletch."[8]
References
- ^ "AMS Certified Broadcast Meteorologists". American Meteorological Society. Retrieved 2008-02-20.
- ^ "Tampa Bay Region coastal archaeological survey project". www.govinfo.gov. Retrieved 2019-02-22.
- ^ TRIBUNE, WALT BELCHER THE TAMPA. "Stroke claims TV weatherman Dick Fletcher". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Retrieved 2019-02-22.
- ^ "Pinellas County Florida Communications - PCC-TV".
- ^ Walt Belcher (2008-02-20). "Forecaster to stay at hospital a few days". The Tampa Tribune. p. 2.
- ^ "Update on Chief Meteorologist Dick Fletcher". WTSP-TV. 2008-02-20. Archived from the original on March 15, 2008. Retrieved 2014-09-03. Via the Wayback Machine.
- ^ "Obituary of Dick Fletcher | Anderson McQueen Funeral Homes".
- ^ "10 Connects remembers Dick Fletcher".