The NBC News family, including Al Roker, was devastated by the news of the passing of WNBC meteorologist Dr. Frank Field. The iconic TV meteorologist, who had reached the remarkable age of 100, passed away on Saturday, July 1. WNBC New York officially announced his passing, prompting Al Roker, a beloved NBC meteorologist himself, to express his condolences and share memories of their time together. Using social media as his platform, Al posted a heartfelt tribute, accompanied by a personal photo. In his tribute, Al acknowledged the influence and guidance Dr. Field provided during his early days at WNBC, when he was just starting his career as a weekend weatherman. Al expressed his hope that Dr. Field and the late Willard Scott, another treasured figure from NBC, were now together, sharing their expertise and enjoying each other’s company.
Fans Join in Tribute to Dr. Frank Field
Fans of Dr. Field joined Al Roker in paying their respects and leaving heartfelt comments on social media. Many reminisced about Dr. Field’s presence on their television screens, recalling how he had become a constant and trusted source of weather information. They fondly remembered his contributions to the field of meteorology and expressed their wishes for eternal sunny days in his memory. The outpouring of love and appreciation from fans reflected the lasting impact Dr. Field had on their lives.
A Legacy of Science and Weather Reporting
Dr. Frank Field, known for his pioneering work in health and science reporting alongside weather forecasts, leaves behind a remarkable legacy. His career began in 1958 with WRCA-TV, which eventually became WNBC-NY. Meanwhile, Al Roker made his move to WNBC in 1983. The following year, Dr. Field transitioned to rival network WCBS-TV, where he continued his meteorology career for the next 11 years. After a brief period with the WNYW-TV station, Dr. Field retired from television weather broadcasting. However, his impact remained significant, as he had popularized the dissemination of health and science reports through his broadcast segments. He was also responsible for bringing attention to the heimlich maneuver and made occasional appearances on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Furthermore, he incorporated analyses of space missions into his forecasts and provided updates on conditions surrounding voyages.
The Journey of Al Roker
Al Roker’s meteorology career began in 1978 at the Cleveland station WKYC, which was an NBC owned-and-operated network at the time. After five years, Al secured a promotion to WNBC-TV, bringing him back to his hometown of New York City. Since then, he has remained a prominent figure in the field of meteorology. Throughout the late ’80s and early ’90s, Al made regular appearances on Today and other NBC weather and news segments. In 1996, he became the regular weekday weather forecaster on the Today Show, taking over from the semi-retired Willard Scott.
In memory of Dr. Frank Field, his contributions to meteorology and science reporting will always be treasured. His legacy lives on through the countless lives he touched, including Al Roker, who continues to inspire and inform viewers as a respected meteorologist.