Harry Volkman Obituary

Like everyone else, my family loved Harry. I grew up in Homewood, IL and whenever I called to report the temperature he called me his "Homewood Correspondent"!!! Harry was the best!

Harry was our family weatherman when I lived in Tulsa, Oklahoma. When I graduated from college and moved to Chicago, Harry must have followed me as he continued to be our weatherman in Chicago for many more years.

I have a cherished early memory that has always stayed with me of Harry Volkman coming to my grade school (Lindop) when I was in maybe 1st or 2nd grade to take the time to talk to us small people. And since my name is Amy he sang the song Once in Love with Amy to me in front of the class which made a small girl feel very special. Love you Harry.

I had harry as my Jr. Hi. Sunday school teacher at Glenview Methodist Church and I remember bringing all of us down to Diamond Jim's steak house in the loop. I have fond memories of Harry and he was a pillar of the church.

I remember watching Mr. Volkman when I was a kid in Chicago...He always was professional, and easy to understand to a 10 yr old. He reminded me of one of my teachers in Grammar School: very smart, but not too full of himself. R.I.P., sir... See you in the clouds above.
Jan Bahno Bolingbrook, IL

I enjoyed his broadcasts for decades, since about 5 yrs old growing up in chicago, may he rest in peace.

I worked with Harry at WMAQ right before he left to go to WGN in the 70's. He always was fun to work with and we enjoyed developing graphics for weather together.
I want to send my condolences to his family and other previous colleagues.

I remember Harry in Oklahoma when I was just a kid. When I talk about him and Wally Canan the weather man not very many knows what I am talking about. But I sure do. I know the world has lost a giant in his field. I am just an Okie with a good memory and a lot of respect for Harry. My compliments to his life!!!! Ken Street Goldsby, Oklahoma

My condolences to the Volkman family. Harry was the "best". May he rest in peace.

George Kaufman remembers Mr. Volkman as Being the most charismatic and nicest person ever met when growing. He was a class act!

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your
time of grief. May your memories bring you
comfort.

The staff of Rainbow Hospice and Palliative Care

I remember him when I was a child. Rest in peace Harry.

MY CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY. I REMEMBER WATCHING HIM ON TV. HE WAS A VERY LIKEABLE PERSON. MAY YOU DRAW STRENGTH IN KNOWING THAT YOU CAN SEE HIM AGAIN IN PARADISE.

To the Volkman family :

Hold on to fond memories and allow those memories to bring joy into your heart as you think of the wonderful times that you shared.

Harry has graduated to an angel who is watching over you. He may be gone physically but he is just a thought away.
My prayers and thoughts are with you during your time of bereavement.

Times like this trying to find the words to say is very hard. But who can comfort us better than the words found in the Bible. I pray that at these times hard to deal with you will find comfort from God's words in the Bible.

Sorry for the loss ! 1 Corin 15:26

MY CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY, HARRY VOLKMAN AND CHICAGO WEATHER ARE SYNOMOUS ALTHOUGH WE HAVE MOVED TO INDIANA WE WILL ALWAYS RECALL FOLLOWING HARRY ON THE CHICAGO STATIONS ADDING CREDIBILITY.
THE ILIFFES OF AUBURN

Condolences to the Volkman Family on the passing of their Husband and Father. This loss is personal to those of us who knew Harry and worked with him.

Rest Well good Friend.

My sincerest condolences to the Volkman family. Harry was more than just a meteorologist. He was a sweet and kind man who cared about his TV audience especially the children who he visited on almost a daily basis. Harry will be greatly missed. Rest with the Angels, Harry.

My condolences. May you have peace at John 3

So sorry to hear of Harry's passing. He was a great friend to my father-in-law, Walter Fernow, whom he knew through the Des Plaines Masonic Lodge. He went out of his way to visit him in the nursing home several years ago and even attended his memorial about 5 years ago. Harry has been a great friend and inspiration to many.

Sorry for the lose of Harry Volkmann.
I watched him on channel nine for as long as he was on.
He came to the school where I worked as a bi-lingual Asst. talked to the 8th graders about weather as only he knew how. I remember opening the door and escorted him to his destination. That for me was a
thrill, I was speechless. He was very polite even though he had to walk around the building to find
the entrance. I know he found the right door to heaven. Rest in peace and condolences to all family and friends. Frances

Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.

So sorry to hear of the loss of your loved one. May it bring you comfort in knowing that God cares and will remember our loved ones as promised in the Holy Writings at Hosea 13:14 "from the hand of Sheol I shall redeem them, from death I shall recover them. Where are your stings, O Death... compassion itself will be concealed from my eyes."

With heartfelt sympathy on the loss of your loved one. May it comfort you to know that he will return to the days of his youthful vigor as promised at Job 33:25. I always enjoyed his animated weather report.

I am sorry for your loss,we all inherited sin & death Romans 5:12;Almighty God makes it possible to live again through the ransom sacrificed of his dear son Jesus.Ephesians 1:7

I'm sorry for the loss of your loved one. May God almighty give you strength, hope and comfort to continue coping with your loss.

Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.

Char, your dad was truly a unique wonderful man who brought sunshine to us Chicagoans every time he reported the weather even if it was raining! Remembering the first time I met him at Chippewa school with Angie, totally excited about seeing "Harry Volkman" let alone actually meeting him, talking to him, shaking his hand and coming to know he was your dad and grandpa to your children, to me he was a TV star! It was nice to continue seeing him at various activities thru the high school years too, he always took time out to say hello. The stars in the heavens are shining bright for Mr. Harry Volkman. May your family find comfort knowing God's eternal plan.

I watch Harry as a kid growing up in Gary, Indiana. He inspired me to this day to have a great interest in weather. He will be missed. He was the best.

The Family,
My sincere condolences for your loss. May the God of loving kindness be with you and your family.

I grew up in Joliet, IL during the 1950s and weather always amazed me. When Harry came to Chicago he started using volunteer observations that were called into the TV station every night. Sometimes Harry would answer the phone, but he was usually busy drawing maps and getting his presentation ready for broadcast. I remember one day when I was in high school, Harry invited me to WGN to watch a broadcast. He motioned for me to join him on-air and mentioned that my family was also in the studio. He treated us all like his family. What a gentleman.

I was the Joliet observer through the 1960s until I left to study meteorology at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb in 1969. It was Harry that suggested to me and his observers that they attend NIU. I continued phoning in the NIU observations every day. My mom, Mary Pasteris, told me that Harry stopped by our house in Joliet when he gave a presentation at Pershing Elementary School. He inspected and approved the weather station in our back yard.

I continued my interest in meteorology, especially severe weather, attending the University of Oklahoma from 1973 to 1975. The National Severe Storm Laboratory (NSSL) in Norman, OK had just developed the Doppler radar and they needed people to photograph severe storms to calibrate the new radar. We went out in our own cars and took slides, duplicated them for NSSL and they were eventually used for the NWS Storm Spotters guide. I felt like I was walking in Harry's Oklahoma footprints as I traveled through Oklahoma tracking storms.

In July 1974, after I married Rosemary and moved to Tulsa for 89 days for a federal job in hydrology, Harry wrote the kindest letter congratulating us on our marriage and his experiences in Oklahoma and Tulsa back in the 1950s. I found it a couple of months ago, scanned it, and sent it by e-mail to Harry. I don't know if he read it, but it meant a lot to me to reread his letter.

I have lived in Oregon since 1978 and in April 2014, out of the blue, I received a call from Harry. I was humbled to have him call and remember me. I tried to send a Christmas Card every year and he must have found my phone number. We talked for 15 or so minutes. I told him that I still took manual observations and also had a fully automated, wireless weather station that sent data every 5 minutes to the NWS website. We both marveled at how weather observations had changed over the last 60 years. He also wanted to know what I had been doing and about my family. I told him we were expecting a granddaughter in May. He was excited to hear about this new addition and the remarked about the importance of a family.

I mentioned that NIU would be holding a 50th meteorology program anniversary in about 2017 and that I would make sure he was invited. I asked him to put it on his calendar. Circumstances have changed, but I am sure that his spirit will whoosh in to see all the alumni he guided to NIU.

Harry, you inspired me and many others to excel in meteorology and the sciences. I was honored that you counted me as a friend and fellow meteorologist. We are a tightly knit profession and you were the consummate professional. Watch over us all as we try our best to forecast the weather. Rest in peace my friend.

I was so fortunate to work for Harry Volkman for many years. He was a great boss and dear friend. He loved his God and his family and could really sing! He was a weather friend to Chicago area viewers and the kids' in schools. What a loss for us all. God bless and keep him.
Love - Sandy Stevens

Harry was a great guy and a wonderful Masonic Brother. I cherished the times whenever I talked with him. My condolences to his family. Thank you for sharing him with us.

Mr. Volkman was truly a memorable personality on TV. May God comfort the family during this time of sadness. 2Cor 1:4

Harry our family loved listening to you giving your weather forecasts, especially on WGN morning radio. You were the best. Our condolences to your family. Also, very happy to learn that you were a Veteran of the armed services.

My condolences to the family of an extraordinary man. As so many do I have wonderful memories of his visiting my school multiple times as I grew up.
His wonderful memory will live on in all of Chicagolands grown up kids.

Harry truly was the weatherman we all loved
But he was also a member of our armed services(Army) and Itasca VFW Post 5167.
On Veterans Day when we read a list of all Post Members who have passed away, I will shed a tear when they mention Harry's name.
Thank you Harrry for your many years of service

I KNEW HARRY VOLKMAN SINCE OCT OF 1960
I WORKED AT THE WEATHER BUREAU OFFICE
IN DOWNTOWN CHICAGO, I MEET HIM IN 1960
AND BEEN FRIENDS SINCE THAT TIME. I
STILL WORK WITH WEATHER AS THE OFFICIAL
MIDWAY CLIMATE STATION...HE CALLED ME
MANY TIMES FOR CLIMATE DATA AND I WAS
LUCKY TO SEE HIM AT TONS OF LUNCH EVENTS
OVER THE PAST YEARS.
A GREAT GUY. FRANK WACHOWSKI MIDWAY
AIRPORT OBSERVER AND RETIRED FROM NWS.

In God's care rest in peace

You were the very best weatherman and so well respected in our home. Rest in peace with a job well done with class and knowledge.

I had the honor of meeting Harry Volkman when he came to Morris Community High School to speak to my students several years ago. He was a class act and a model of success. His passion for his work, his wonderful stories, and his gift for making the most of his four minutes on air were inspiring! The impact he had on the field of meteorology and the thousands of children who benefited from his visits is immeasurable. To his family, my sincere condolences for your loss.

Dear Eddie and Family,

Your dad will be greatly missed by all. He was my favorite weather guy, with his endearing down -to-earth folksy humor. He was like no other.
I really appreciated all your recent postings on Face-book, especially the photos, and the opportunity to hear and see him, one last time.
Thank you for that, Eddie, and my greatest condolences go out to you and your family. He will be remembered in my prayers. Heaven just accepted an outstanding angel. RIP Mr. Volkman, and prayers go out to your family for healing.

When I was in fifth grade at Western Avenue School in Flossmoor, Illinois, he came to our school. He taught us how fronts move across communities. He made us laugh when he said, "Chug Chug.".

My deepest sympathies to the Volkman family for the loss of Harry. He would brighten our day with his cheerful weather broadcasting. May God's Word strengthen you during this difficult time. (Isa. 41:10,13)

My condolences. May you have peace at John 3

My condolences to the family. May God comfort you during this time of sorrow. 2Cor 1:4

Rest Harry, until you hear at dawn,
the low, clear reveille of God.

Thank you for your service to this nation.

You are one of a kind and will always be remembered,R.I.P. THANK YOU, God Bless.

We'll miss you !

My condolences,sorry for your loss. Matthew 11:28,29,30,

Condolences from all WGN alumni and their families

A special generation is passing away. Harry was one of many. He was a pioneer. He was more so a human in reporting weather. His genuine smile and his calm voice is what I remember most. He is one of an entire generation of pioneers that are leaving this world for the next. I only hope that when they leave they know that so many people loved them and will miss them in their physical forms. Take care, Harry, quality like yours never dies, it only comes back stronger than ever.

We will miss you Harry, our sincere condolences to your beautiful wife and wonderful family. May your memory be eternal. God Bless you all.
Harriet Vakos

I know Theresa won't remember me, but we worked together in Arington Heights in the "executive" area 25 years ago.

I also grew up with her father-in-law and always enjoyed it. You could tell he was a kind and fun person to be around. I know the family is very close and I wish peace and comfort for you all.

Dear Volkman family,
I remember watching Harry do
weather on channel 2 back in the 1980's.His warm smile captured the hearts of millions.May he rest in God's Holy Peace.
Blessings and Peace!
Melissa Rodriguez(Nowak).

Mr. Volkman was my teacher over 50 years ago for our confirmation classes at what was then the Glenview Methodist Church. He was such a nice guy! And even years and years later, when I'd run into him at the grocery store, he'd still remember me.

What a loss this is and my heart goes out
to his family. But - now that he's in
charge of the weather "up there", maybe
he can arrange milder winters for us!

So sorry for the family, I grew up with him for that Crazy Chicago Weather. Harry Rest in Peace.

What a long and fulfilling career Mr. Volkman enjoyed! My heartfelt condolences to his family members, former colleagues, and friends left behind. Please find comfort in knowing that he was a well-respected meteorologist who was adored by his listeners. Treasure also the many future blessings found in God's word for cherished loved ones who have died.

Char and family, our condolences to you on the loss of your father.

What a great man, with the perfect last name: "Volkman" = Man of the People."

My condolences to his loved ones. He WAS truly a legend!

Volkman's are just great people and Harry was one of the best except for Richard W. Volkman of Wichita, Kansas that looked very much like Harry. R.I.P. to both wonderful men.

Rip H.V. A legend in Chicago news. Grew up in Skokie.he was someone you could trust. Real mensch.to his family and friends my heartfelt condolences God Bless! His light will forever shine.rest in eternal peace! Goodnight Mr.volkman

what a gentle man. always kind. loved his beautiful wife. proud of his son. miss you mr. volkman. Helen from the club.

My condolences to the Volkman Family in their loss. I remember growing up and watching Harry do the weather as well as knowing the family when they lived in Glenview and attended the same church as my family did. You will be missed by all those that knew you and loved you. Always remember the good times and remember that God is there for you in your time of sorrow.

I remember when Harry volkman visited our grade school and talked about meteorology. He was a very nice guy. Thank you for making the weather more interesting. Erik h.

Condolences go out to the entire family! I grew up listening/watching Harry do the weather. He was a remarkable man. I also worked with his son Ron in the late 70's at Gandalf Data. Inc. In Wheeling. Rest in Peace Mr. Volkman.

Rest in Peace