We Remember Harry Wappler

Posted April 26, 2010

Meteorologist and 33-year AFTRA member Harry Wappler, one of Seattle’s best known news broadcasters, died April 21.

Wappler came to Seattle from Chicago in 1969 where he'd worked in public relations. He had studied speech at Northwestern University and earned a graduate degree at Yale University Divinity School. Initially, he interviewed for an anchor position, but the station manager told Wappler he looked more like a weatherman, and immediately offered him the job he would hold at the station for 30 years. He was also an ordained Episcopal priest and officiated at the weddings of several KIRO staffers.

Wappler also worked for several years in the early 1970’s as a forecaster at WNBC-TV in New York, before returning to KIRO in 1975, where he remained until his retirement in 2002.

 

“We have lost one of our truly special gems today," KIRO-7 Vice President and General Manager Eric Lerner wrote in an email distributed to employees April 21. "Harry Wappler and KIRO will always be connected, and we could not be more proud."

Just prior to his retirement in 2002, KIRO-TV ran a one-hour special celebrating Wappler’s 30 year career, the longest run for a meteorologist on any Seattle station. John Woodin, then the station's general manager, said no broadcaster had made greater contributions to the industry or community over the previous three decades.

Wappler is survived by two sons: Andy, his protégé and former KIRO-TV weathercaster; and Bill, of Greenwich, Conn.; and five grandchildren. Memorial services are pending.

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