 Pioneer of Pacific Weather Services dies in HonoluluPOHNPEI, Palikir (FSM Information Service): November 5, 2001 - Richard "Dick" Hagemeyer, 77, former director of the National Weather Service for the Pacific Region, passed away on October 25 2001 in Honolulu, Hawaii. A statement from the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration in Honolulu said Hagemeyer had suffered from medical complications. The statement recognized Hagemeyer for his leadership role in the development of the United States Tsunami Warning Program, modernization of weather services in Hawaii and the Pacific Region, and improvement to the coordination of tropical cyclone response in Pacific Rim countries. Closer to home, Hagemeyer is noted and well respected in the Federated States of Micronesia for the development of human resources and modernization of the entire Weather Service Offices (WSOs) of the nation. Earlier this year, he was in Pohnpei State for the installation ceremony of the nations 2nd meteorologist-in-charge (MIC). The MIC was part of the increasing resources that were made possible through Hagemeyer's support and tutelage. Vice President, Redley Killion's letter to Hagemeyer's widow, Helen, expressed the nation's deepest sympathy as he was to FSM, "a great man and a dear friend." "We have been blessed for having had the opportunity to know [him]. As an architect and pioneer for the advancement of Weather Services throughout the Micronesian region and beyond, Mr. Hagemeyer's contributions have had significant impact on the quality of life and peace of mind of Micronesia." Vice President's letter stated that Hagemeyers's contributions, in no small measure "made the US National Weather Services (NWS) a success story in the FSM." Hagemeyer was born in Cincinnati, Ohio and is survived by his wife Helen; sister Mary Elizabeth Crook, brother Bart Hagemeyer, Jr.; nephew Bart Hagameyer, meteorologist-in-charge of the Melbourne, Florida weather forcast office; and many other nieces and nephews. |