News Item - Retired NHC Forecaster

[Frank2]

Since it's fairly quiet at the moment, I thought it'd be nice to share this story:

http://www.usatoday.com/weather/news/20 ... lark_n.htm

Gil enjoyed his work so much, that it always made working for him fun, too...

He often said that I must be part Native American, because I sometimes had a way of walking up behind him without him knowing (I always attributed it to soft shoes) - in that sense, Gil's family is long in Texas history, since his Great-Great-Great-Uncle is in the list of names at the Alamo (1836)...

It was a pleasure to know him - I'm glad he is well...

[Jagno]

Thanks for sharing this with us. I wish more mets today were as passionate as Mr. Clark was/is about their jobs. Understandably so, the corporate giants now have alot to do with what and how the weather is projected and that in itself pulls alot of enthusiasm down.

[Frank2]

Thanks - I agree with you...

Gil Clark had a true child-like (not childish like me, but, child-like) enjoyment for weather, similar to those original TWC OCM's (such as Gil's NHC co-worker, the late John Hope), who would never win a beauty contest (neither would I), but, like the late Steve Irwin's love of wildlife, these folks truly loved the weather...

Sadly, the world's acceptance of those genuine God-given feelings seem to be going, as my Pastor said yesterday, and in reference to what you said, in the wrong direction...

Today, the public seems to have an unceasing need for the extreme - someone like Gil or John would now often be ignored, because their enjoyment does not amount to something akin to science fiction...