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Dick Goddard

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For the rugby union and rugby league footballer who played in the 1890s, and 1900s, see Dicky Goddard.

Dick Goddard
Born(1931-02-24)February 24, 1931[1]
Akron, Ohio, U.S.
DiedAugust 4, 2020(2020-08-04) (aged 89)
NationalityAmerican
Occupation(s)television news weatherman, meteorologist, author
Years active1960–2016
Spouse
Amber Goddard
​
​
(m. 1997; div. 2004)​
PartnerJulie Ann Cashel (1972–1996)
Children1
Military career
Allegiance United States
Service/branch United States Air Force
Years of service1949–1955
UnitUnited States Atomic Energy Commission

Richard D. "Dick" Goddard (February 24, 1931 – August 4, 2020) was an American television meteorologist, author, cartoonist, and animal activist. For over five decades, he served as the evening meteorologist at WJW-TV, the Fox Broadcasting Company-affiliated television station in Cleveland, Ohio. He holds the Guinness World Record for longest career as a weather forecaster after passing Canadian meterologist Peter Coade.[2]

Early life

Goddard was born on February 24, 1931, in Akron, Ohio.[3] He lived in Akron from birth to 1941. The family moved to a small farm in Green, Ohio in 1941.[4] After graduating from Green High School, he began his weather career while taking classes on meteorology during a stint with the United States Air Force from 1949 through 1955.[3][4] During this time, Goddard's most notable assignment was forecasting for atmospheric nuclear weapons tests by the United States Atomic Energy Commission in the Pacific.[1][4]

He then attended Kent State University, where he majored in drama and broadcasting.[5] While there he had notable success as the lead character, Curly, in the school's production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma![5]

Career

After graduating from Kent State in 1960,[6] he joined the weather team at Westinghouse Broadcasting-owned KYW-TV (now WKYC-TV) in Cleveland a year later; while at KYW-TV, Goddard worked alongside sports anchor Jim Graner.[7] Goddard was one of several employees of KYW-TV who agreed to move to WRCV-TV in Philadelphia in June 1965, after Westinghouse was allowed by the FCC to reverse a station trade with NBC in 1956 based on coercion in order for Westinghouse to retain their NBC affiliations; the KYW calls also moved back to Philadelphia. However, Goddard did not take a liking to Philadelphia, and returned to Cleveland several months later. In 1966, Goddard became the chief meteorologist at WJW-TV, where he would work for the remainder of his career.[1]

After returning to Cleveland, Goddard also was employed with the NFL's Cleveland Browns as the team's official statistician for home games. Then a CBS affiliate, WJW carried Browns' games at the time as part of their NFL play-by-play contract until the 1970 AFL-NFL merger (due to the Browns' move to the AFC), at which point the games moved to WKYC – this was a key factor in his having joined the station. He held this position from 1966 to 2011, with the exception of a three-year period from 1996–1999 when the franchise was suspended as the old Browns franchise moved to Baltimore and Cleveland was given a new team.[8]

From August 1977 to January 1979, Goddard also hosted WJW's version of Bowling for Dollars, a syndicated franchised game show. He has also appeared in numerous skits on WJW's popular Big Chuck and Lil' John Show over the years, and did occasional stage work.[9]

In honor of Goddard's 50 years on Cleveland TV, most of which was spent at WJW, the portion of South Marginal Road (the southern frontage road of the Cleveland Memorial Shoreway) in front of the WJW studios was renamed "Dick Goddard Way" on May 23, 2011.[10]

As of 2014 Goddard resided in Medina Township, Ohio.[11]

In December 2014, at age 83, Goddard signed a "multi-year" contract renewal with WJW.[12] On May 18, 2016, Goddard announced that he would retire from his weather duties in November 2016, while continuing his animal advocacy and remaining host of the Woollybear Festival.[13][14] He delivered his last forecast on the station on November 22, 2016, with the station's weather center renamed for him. He continued to tape animal advocacy and adoption segments for WJW.[15]

The Woollybear Festival

Main article: Woollybear Festival

In 1973 Goddard created the first Woollybear Festival, a day-long family event dedicated to teaching children about the weather, family fun, and animals. Some of the events include a caterpillar race, animal costume contests, and musical performances.

Personal life and death

Goddard lived in Medina, Ohio. He had one daughter, Kim.[16] Goddard was in a relationship with Julie Ann Cashel for more than twenty years until her death in 1996. His mother, Doris, died in 1996 also.[4] Goddard married his second wife, Amber, in December 1997 and divorced in 2004. In September 2016, he fell at home and fractured a hip. He continued with rehab and doctors expected him to make a full recovery.[4] His estate was up for auction in early November 2019.[17]

Goddard moved to Florida where he was in a medical facility. His daughter, Kim, became his caregiver. Goddard had pneumonia in January 2020.[3] Kim revealed on May 13, 2020, that he was ill.[16] His daughter revealed in June 2020 that he tested positive for COVID-19.[18] Goddard died on August 4, 2020, at the age of 89.[19][20]

Legacy

Goddard was an outspoken opponent of animal abuse.[21] "Dick Goddard's Law", a bill to increase the severity of penalties for abuse, was introduced into the Ohio General Assembly in 2013[22][23] and reintroduced in 2015.[24] The 2015 version was signed into law on June 13, 2016.[25]

Awards and honors

  • American Meteorological Society Seal of Approval (#45)[26]
  • 2011 Gold Circle Award, presented by Lower Great Lakes Emmy Awards chapter[27]
  • 1992 Silver Circle Award, presented by Lower Great Lakes Emmy Awards chapter[27]
  • Cleveland Press Club Journalism Hall of Fame Inductee (class of 2001)[28]
  • Ohio Broadcasters Hall of Fame Inductee (class of 1989)[29]
  • Cleveland Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame Inductee (class of 1994)[30]
  • South Marginal Road in Cleveland renamed "Dick Goddard Way"[10]
  • Ohio GA 131 House Bill 60 named "Dick Goddard's Law"
  • Guinness Book of World Records - Longest career as a weather forecaster (51 years, 6 days)[2]
  • Fox 8 News weather desk renamed the "Dick Goddard Weather Center"[31]
  • Annual event established by Goddard renamed the "Dick Goddard Woollybear Festival"[32]

Bibliography

  • Goddard, Dick (2011). Six Inches of Partly Cloudy: Cleveland's Legendary TV Meteorologist Takes on Everything–and More. Cleveland: Gray & Co. ISBN 978-1-59851-066-9. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  • Goddard, Dick (2005). Dick Goddard's Almanac for Northeast Ohio. Cleveland: Gray & Co. ISBN 1-886228-92-2. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help) (Also published 2002–2004)
  • Goddard, Dick (1998). Dick Goddard's Weather Guide for Northeast Ohio. Cleveland: Gray & Co. ISBN 1-886228-12-4. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)

References

  1. ^ a b c Dawidziak, Mark (February 23, 2011). "WJW Channel 8 weatherman Dick Goddard turns 80 Feb. 24, celebrates 50 years on TV in May". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved February 26, 2011. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  2. ^ a b Longest career as a weather forecaster - Guinness World Records
  3. ^ a b c DeNatale, Dave (August 4, 2020). "Legendary Cleveland meteorologist Dick Goddard passes away at age 89". WKYC. Cleveland: Gannett Company. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  4. ^ a b c d e Dawidziak, Mark (August 4, 2020). "Dick Goddard 1931-2020: A legendary life in Cleveland TV". cleveland.com. Cleveland: Advance Publications. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  5. ^ a b Heaton, Michael (November 22, 2016). "Dick Goddard's big announcement: Minister of Culture". cleveland.com. Cleveland: Advance Publications. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  6. ^ Katona, Ashley (Winter 2011). "Dick Goddard, '60". Kent State Magazine. 10 (1): 28. Archived from the original on July 11, 2011.
  7. ^ "History of WKYC-TV 1948-2010" (PDF). WKYC.com. WKYC-TV, Inc. 2010. Retrieved August 25, 2010. 1961: ... The news team consisted of anchors Carl Stern and Bud Dancy, weathercaster Dick Goddard and sports talent Jim Graner.
  8. ^ "Dick Goddard retires...from Browns broadcast booth". WTAM-AM. September 7, 2012. Retrieved September 10, 2012.
  9. ^ WJKW-TV8 - Cleveland - "Bowling for Dollars" Promo - 1978 - AOL Video
  10. ^ a b Buckingham, Lindsay (May 23, 2011). "S. Marginal Road Dedicated to FOX 8's Own Dick Goddard". WJW-TV. Retrieved April 26, 2012. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  11. ^ Knox, David (May 13, 2014). "Dick Goddard rescued while second man climbs tree to avoid waters". The Medina Gazette. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
  12. ^ Dawidziak, Mark (December 9, 2014). "Dick Goddard signs new multi-year deal with Channel 8". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved December 10, 2014. Although Channel 8 would not disclose specific terms of the new contract, the station did confirm it was a multi-year deal.
  13. ^ Cunningham, Kaily (May 18, 2016). "Dick Goddard announces retirement: 'In November, I'm stepping away from the weather maps'". WJW-TV.
  14. ^ Dawidziak, Mark (May 18, 2016). "Channel 8's Dick Goddard ending 55-year run as weatherman in November". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved May 20, 2016.
  15. ^ Dawidziak, Mark (November 22, 2016). "Dick Goddard says tearful goodbye to 55-year career as a Cleveland weather forecaster". cleveland.com. Cleveland: Advance Publications. Retrieved November 23, 2016.
  16. ^ a b WJW Staff (May 13, 2020). "Dick Goddard's daughter asks for prayers for beloved FOX 8 legend". WJW. Cleveland: Nexstar Media Group. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
  17. ^ WKYC Staff (November 9, 2019). "Estate of beloved Cleveland meteorologist, Dick Goddard, hosting weekend sale". WKYC. Cleveland: Gannett Company. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  18. ^ Kosich, John; Shaw, Courtney (August 4, 2020). "Dick Goddard, a Cleveland broadcast legend, dies at 89". WEWS. Cleveland: E. W. Scripps Company. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  19. ^ "Dick Goddard, legendary FOX 8 meteorologist, dies at 89". WJW. Cleveland: Nexstar Media Group. August 4, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  20. ^ Geier, Thom (August 4, 2020). "Dick Goddard, Legendary Cleveland TV Weatherman, Dies at 89 of COVID". The Wrap. Retrieved August 5, 2020.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  21. ^ Zinni, Mark (April 1, 2013). "Activists Announce 'Goddard's Law' to Protect Animals". WJW-TV. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  22. ^ Zinni, Mark (September 30, 2013). "'Goddard's Law' Gets More Support to Crack Down on Animal Abuse". WJW-TV. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  23. ^ H.B. No. 274, Ohio 130th General Assembly
  24. ^ "H.B. No. 60, Ohio 131st General Assembly". Section 3. This act shall be known as Dick Goddard's Law.
  25. ^ "Kasich Signs Eight Bills" (Press release). Governor of Ohio, John R. Kasich. June 13, 2016. Retrieved June 13, 2016.
  26. ^ "AMS List of TV Seal Holders". Ametsoc.org. December 29, 2013. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
  27. ^ a b "NATAS Lower Great Lakes Chapter". Nataslgl.org. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
  28. ^ "The Press Club of Cleveland". Pressclubcleveland.com. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
  29. ^ "Broadcasters Hall of Fame". Broadcasters Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on March 2, 2014. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
  30. ^ http://www.cabcleveland.com/CAb_Cleveland/Hall_of_Fame.html
  31. ^ Dick Goddard Weather Center - Fox 8.com (WJW-TV)
  32. ^ 2017 Dick Goddard Wooleybear Festival ad

Further reading


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