By RODNEY HO/ rho@ajc.com, originally filed Sunday, July 31, 2016
The Weather Channel reported Saturday that meteorologist Dave Schwartz has died of cancer. He was 63.
The Philadelphia native and Temple University graduate worked at the Atlanta-based company from 1985 to 2008, then returned in 2014. He first made it on camera in 2001.
This is the Instagram note from the Weather Channel:
It is with a heavy heart and great sadness to let you know that Dave Schwartz has passed away. Dave spent 22 years at The Weather Channel. He was a fan and staff favorite because he so obviously loved what he did and had a unique ability to draw viewers into the fascinating world of weather. His passion for weather was contagious and inspired many to enter the field of meteorology. His passion and love of weather will never be forgotten, he will be greatly missed.
The Weather Channel reported that Schwartz was diagnosed with stage 2 pancreatic cancer 10 years ago. After treatment, he was pronounced cancer free. Then it came back and he had to beat it again.
In 2015, he received more bad news: stomach cancer. Earlier this year, he spoke about his weight loss on World Cancer Day. He was treated at MD Anderson Cancer Center.
"Everything was genuine about this wonderful man. He was everybody's friend and that's what he really wanted to be. He made so many of us laugh, smile, and wish we were like him. He was so genuine and trustworthy - things that come from the soul and cannot be taught," said longtime friend and colleague Jim Cantore. "Dave loved doing the weather on TV and he was fantastic at it. I'm so thankful he was on our team doing what he loved till the end of his time."
He'd be known to dance and smile during commercial breaks.
"One of the nicest guys you'll ever meet," said Shawn Reynolds, who worked with him as a producer at the Weather Channel. "Wickedly smart. Very knowledgeable meteorologist. He didn't let this thing get him down. He fought as hard as he could."
Reynolds said after the Weather Channel let him go in 2008 and before he returned in 2014, he in part sold shoes at a local Macy's to make ends meet.
Fellow meteorologist at the Weather Channel Reynolds Wolf posted an elegant dedication to his friend on Facebook. In part:
Dave was a husband, a father, a mentor, and friend. His grand voice held a timbre--majestic and captivating--spell-binding to the listener, and a mystical lasso to his viewers and peers. He owned us all.
In his official Weather.com bio, he said, "I've always been a weather 'geek.' Sky watching, and watching The Weather Channel. I built a weather forecasting kit from Radio Shack my father bought me. The tornado scene from 'The Wizard of Oz' really turned me on."
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