KFVS weatherman Reeves to retire later this month

Bob Reeves, weather forecaster and meteorologist for KFVS12 television, on Thursday announced he will retire in late February after more than 40 years at the station.

Reeves began his career with KFVS12 in 1970 when Oscar Hirsch, founder of the CBS affiliate, hired him to anchor the 10 p.m. news along with covering weather and sports, according to a news release from the station.

Reeves held many positions during his career at KFVS, including reporter, assistant news director, farm director and, since 1982, weatherman.

Reeves was the morning weatherman for 11 years until predecessor Don McNeely retired in 1993, and he became senior weather anchor for weekday evening newscasts.

Tim Ingram, vice president and general manager of KFVS12, said Reeves' retirement leaves "immense shoes to fill," and the newsroom staff will have to make a big adjustment.

Bob Reeves

"There's a lot of folks who have never known KFVS without Bob," Ingram said, adding Reeves has become a fixture on regional television.

A recurring theme of Reeves' weather career is "the calm in the storm," he said.

Reeves has worked behind the scenes with his eventual replacement, who was announced as Grant Dade on Friday at the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce annual dinner.

Dade comes from KLTV in East Texas, a sister Raycom Media station.

John Mehner, president and CEO of the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce, referred to Reeves as a "hometown icon" before he took a moment to recognize Reeves' retirement at the beginning of the chamber dinner.

"I don't know that anyone will fill his shoes," Ingram said of Reeves. "Bob's one of those guys. He's irreplaceable."

Since the announcement of Reeves' impending retirement hit Facebook, it has "erupted," Ingram said. More than 3,700 people had responded with "likes" and more than 600 people had left comments as of Saturday afternoon.

"I'll try not to miss the job but I suspect that I will anyway," Reeves said in a news release from KFVS12.

Reeves received a bachelor's degree in broadcasting in 1970 from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. In 1988, he received certification from the National Weather Association, according to the release. Reeves won a Missouri Broadcasters Association award for best weather forecast in 2003 and 2004.

"What you see on the air is the real Bob, no acting," Mark Little, KFVS12 news director, said in the release. "He's one of the most humble, genuine, sincere gentlemen I've ever known. We know he'll be missed by his viewers."

Reeves' last day with KFVS12 will be Feb. 26.

"Lots of great people, a ton of great memories, lots of fun," Reeves said in the release. "I've been blessed to be associated with this institution for 42 great years. I wouldn't change a thing."

Reeves was not available for comment Friday.

ashedd@semissourian.com

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