Happiness is Love & Accomplishment: The End of an Era

6.30.2011

The End of an Era

My dad has been reporing the weather in Minnesota for just shy of 35 years and is retiring tonight. I have to document some of the wonderful things people have said about him because they are spot on. His career has always been such a big part of my life and who I was growing up. Watching northern lights on the driveway at 1am, doing promos in our house for "Coats for Kids," and coming down to the station to organize his desk, watching him on the air, and always getting a free cup of hot chocolate when I was there. I was a little hesitant as a teenager to tell people I was a Fairbourne, because of the inevitable "so, how's the weather?" It died off in college, but when I meet people from MN now, that's always the first thing I'll tell them-- who my dad is. It's the best way, because they always know who he is, and I'm always bursting at the seams to hear the wonderful things they say about him. Love you dad, wish I could be there to watch!

Here's about 4% of what some of the wonderful viewers have said about him:

"I wanted to be a meteorologist when I was in third grade…1980-81. My mother called down to WCCO to see if I could come in and see the weather studio, and whoever she talked to set up an appointment. I met Mike Fairbourne that day and he has always remained one of my favorite persons on TV. He gave us a full tour and was SO nice. He gave me some satellite photos of a hurricane (which I still have 30 years later!) and one of the WCCO calender books. I went back down a few days later to give him a statuette of an owl, next to a weather map.
I wish you a happy retirement Mike! Thanks for making such an impression on a little girl, way back then. Although I never did become a meteorologist, I have remained a ‘weather nerd’ all these years later."
"Mike, 'This damn clicker!' thanks for the memories."
"You were the first meteorologist at WCCO TV. You brought technology to a station that never had any in regards to weather equipment. Many have come and gone at the station but, you have lasted the test of time. I always found you to be what WCCO needed at a time when they had nothing solid in the weather war of the late 1970′s and 1980′s. I have admired you and have fond memories of your level headed approach when severe weather moved into the state and the metro area. Thanks for being a true professional on and off the air!! You deserve some time enjoying the weather and not reporting it."
"I had the great pleasure of meeting you sir. you are a true gentlemen. I wish you the best in health and the best in retirement! I hope you get every chance to enjoy it.
Most of all thank you sir!"
"I was unaware that you were retiring until just now. I have a lump in my throat and am fighting tears. You’ve ALWAYS been there, Mike. I remember when you had brain surgery … I prayed for your complete recovery and was so happy that all went well and you returned. I cannot imagine ‘CCO without you. You will be TERRIBLY missed. Your easy-going and confident persona will never be equaled. I’ve been with you all the years, so it willl feel like an old friend is moving away. God bless you, my friend. May retirement be everything you hope it to be."