The world’s longest tenured weatherman, Cleveland’s own Dick Goddard, is in grave condition in a medical facility in Florida, his daughter has told Fox 8. Doctors have said he likely doesn’t have long to live.
The 89-year-old Goddard was of course a beloved Cleveland local meteorologist for more than 50 years. He retired in 2016 from Fox 8 after a distinguished career marked as much by his love of animals as by his commitment to keeping Northeast Ohioans informed about wind and rain.
In one unbelievable anecdote, Goddard reportedly once missed a news broadcast because a spider was spotted in the newsroom and Goddard, instead of killing it, took it to a field behind the station to set it free. Straight legend.
Goddard was by all accounts an absolute mensch, and provided no shortage of laughs for Clevelanders, even as his career was winding down. His daughter Kim is now asking for prayers for her father, and Clevelanders can certainly oblige.
Godspeed, Dick.
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This article appears in May 13-19, 2020.
Long-time Clevelanders know that without Dick, there is no weather.
I can’t tell if this article is a bad joke. Prayer’s up? Godspeed? Dick was a staunch atheist, as he writes in his book Six Inches of Partly Cloudy. Do your research, and please don’t pray for him. He wouldn’t want it. Send peace, love and kind words to his family.
Send him some frozen potatoes and fruit…tots and pears.
I used to love when he did that “Adopt a Pet” thing. And then of course there was the Wooly Bear Festival in Vermillion, which was the best thing in Northeast Ohio outside of the pancake breakfast on Buzzard Day.
If his daughter is asking for prayers then I am happy to comply. As a Christian it is not my place to judge him, the Lord handles these matters. He is a kind loving man who for many years has advocated for creatures who are not able to stand up for themselves. May God bless him and his family at this sad time.
If Dick Goddards daughter is asking for prayers, then I will happily comply. It is not my place as a Christian to judge him. The Lord takes care of these matters. I believe he is a kind loving man with a great big heart. He is an advocate for creatures who are not able to stand up for themselves and I for 1 am glad he has been there all these years for them.
Thanks for the brief mention Sam. Goddard was indeed well loved for many reasons already mentioned and more. He did have a great sense of humor as noted. One thing not mentioned, for as many years he lived among us – and largely, I can’t ever recall him having said a single negative thing about anyone. That’s a tough thing to accomplish in less time. He was and is a class act. Thanks for noting him so respectfully. Northeast Ohio will long remember and appreciate him – many of us growing up with him, his pleasant ways and love for animals – companion and otherwise. ~DN
If his daughter ASKED people to pray for him that is what comforts her. Plus, unless you spoke with him recently one never knows when one turns to God for help. We do not know what he even said to his daughter. For all we know He may have asked for prayer. Do whatever you feel comfortable doing but let’s not judge his daughter as she is in a state of desperately wanting to hold on to her Dad as long as possible, I’m sure. Bless the entire family.