Boston's WBZ-TV & Radio Meterologist Legend Don Kent Dies

Boston radio and television legend Don Kent, the first meteorologist hired by WBZ in the 1950's, died early today. He was 92-years-old. Don was the "weather man" I grew up with and his word was gold as far as my parents were concerned.

According to my dad, if Don Kent said it was going to snow, there was no need to dispute the fact; we readied our boots and mittens and waxed up the sleds.

Much admired in Massachusetts, Don Kent actually began his long career at WBZ Radio in 1951. Known in his radio capacity as "Mr. Weatherbee," Don moved on to WBZ television in 1955 where he remained until his retirement in 1985. His first radio weather gig, however, dates to 1947.

Weather Was Big News Back Then

As strange as it sounds, weather was a form of entertainment when I was a kid. Without all the distractions of contemporary technology like the Internet, cell phones and the myriad of 24-hour news channels, catching Don Kent's weather forecast, was imperative because it was all we had to go on.

Back then, Dad's here in my neck of the Massachusetts woods worked close to home, generally in one of the many local furniture factories or running the corner market. I vividly recall my father eagerly waiting for Don Kent to make his brief appearance on the morning news before heading off to work. It was part of my dad's routine forever!

The funny part is, the actual weather forecast did not change or hamper our lives in any way, but here in New England, we love to talk about weather and it made for great conversation. Rarely did schools close and it was unheard of to shut down the factory or send employees home early despite a raging blizzard. However, this is common practice for large businesses today.

No Fancy Weather Stuff but Huge Audience

I am not sure if Don Kent ever knew how big his TV audience was outside the Boston area. I also have no idea if he was aware of the impact a simple weather forecaster had on those within the television viewing distance. He probably had no clue he was iconic in the eyes of everyone in the north central Massachusetts region.

Obviously, neither WBZ-TV nor Don Kent had the amazing weather technology forecasters have today. With his passive, but ever-present demeanor, he brought us the daily weather...no frills, no bells, no whistles. He was central to our lives and a household staple, which many will find hard to grasp considering Don Kent was a mere weatherman on television. I guess you just had to be there!

An amazing career, a wonderful human being dedicated to his life calling and a weatherman icon; I bet there are a slew of people raising their umbrellas today to "Mr. Weatherbee."

Sources:

WBZ-TV Boston