George Fischbeck

George Richard Fischbeck, (July 1, 1922 – March 25, 2015), better known as Dr. George Fischbeck, 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 1992, but returned to television with a brief stint at KCBS-TV from 1994 to 1997.

George Fischbeck
Dr. George delivering the weather, 1980
Born(1922-07-01)July 1, 1922
Wallington, New Jersey
DiedMarch 25, 2015(2015-03-25) (aged 92)
Woodland Hills, California
Spouse(s)
Susanne Fischbeck
​
​
(m. 1949⁠–⁠2015)​
Children2
Career
Station(s)Albuquerque:
KNME-TV (1960-1970)
KOB-TV (1970-1972)
Los Angeles:
KABC-TV (1972-1992)
KCBS-TV (1994-1997)
StyleWeatherman

Early life and career

Fischbeck was born in Wallington, New Jersey and grew up in Farmingdale, New Jersey,[1] the son of Johanna (Mohlenhoff), a teacher, and George Stelling Fischbeck, a farmer.[2] 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 helped him develop an "ebullient" personality. The "Dr" referred to an honorary doctorate given at the now-defunct University of Albuquerque.[3]

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.[4] In 1979 he was awarded the Silver Beaver by the Boy Scouts of America for his service to youth.[5] After his move to California, Fischbeck appeared in a simulated news broadcast as part of an earthquake simulation exhibit at the California Museum of Science and Industry.[6] 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.[7] In 2013, Los Angeles City Councilman Tom LaBonge declared April 10 to be Dr. George Day in the city.[8] A month later,[8] Fischbeck's autobiography was published by the University of New Mexico Press.[9] Fischbeck died on March 25, 2015 in Woodland Hills, California.[3]

Personal life

Fischbeck was an amateur radio operator, and carried the call sign KE6SBY.[10]

He married Susanne Fischbeck in 1949,[1] with whom he had brother and sister fraternal twins. The daughter is Nancy. His son died at an early age, circa (1976).[3]

In retirement, he was a volunteer with the Los Angeles Zoo and also worked with the Los Angeles Police Department's Volunteer Surveillance Team.[11]

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!"[12] Mark Jonathan Davis recorded a parody of Mötley Crüe's "Dr. Feelgood" called "Dr. Fischbeck" about the weatherman.[13]

He died 2015 and was buried at the Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills Cemetery in Los Angeles.

References
  1. Wilcox, Gregory J. (March 25, 2015). "Dr. George Fischbeck, KABC-TV weatherman and Woodland Hills resident, dies at 92". Los Angeles Daily News. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  2. Fischbeck, George; Roach, Randy (2013). Dr. George: My Life in Weather. University of New Mexico Press. ISBN 9780826353337.
  3. Nelson, Valerie J. (March 25, 2015). "'Dr. George' Fischbeck dies at 92; popular weatherman at KABC-TV". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
  4. Nathanson, Rick (March 25, 2015). "'Dr. George' Fischbeck, weatherman and science teacher, dies at 92". Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  5. Gazzar, Brenda (September 10, 2015). "Weatherman Dr. George Fischbeck honored posthumously for his volunteer work with LAPD". Los Angeles Daily News. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  6. Chang, Irene (October 7, 1990). "L.A. Museum Scrambles for Exhibit Space". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  7. Braxton, Greg (September 8, 2003). "KCAL, Fox Sports tops in L.A.-area Emmys". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
  8. "Los Angeles declares April 10 Dr. George Day". Retrieved 11 April 2013.
  9. Fischbeck, George; Roach, Randy (2013). Dr. George: My Life in Weather. Albuquerque, New Mexico: University of New Mexico Press. ISBN 9780826353337.
  10. DeSocio, Jeffrey Thomas (April 22, 2013). "Dr. George Fischbeck: Been Under The Weather Most Of My Life". KTTV. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
  11. Rainey, James (December 21, 2008). "In his retirement, every day is blue sky for L.A.'s Dr. George". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 28, 2015.
  12. Terrell, Steve (March 25, 2015). "Two Georges". Santa Fe New Mexican. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
  13. "mjd's intergalactic comedy hacienda (mich.ideatown.com) - Dr. Demento Hits". mich.ideatown.com. Archived from the original on 2014-12-31. Retrieved 2014-07-04.
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