EAU CLAIRE — Herbert Teichman on Tuesday received the Dick Hagemeyer Award for his 45 years of service as a volunteer Cooperative Weather Observer (COOP).

He started Aug. 1, 1968, as the Detroit Tigers advanced to the World Series behind 31-game winner Denny McLain.

The award came from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) and the National Weather Service (NWS) at Tree-Mendus Fruit Farm, where he established the International Cherry Pit Spit.

The Cooperative Weather Observer Program was established in the 1890s to provide data to the newly formed Weather Bureau, predecessor to the NWS.

Today, the program involves more than 11,000 volunteer observers, who record temperature and precipitation data daily.

Teichman took over the station from his father, William, who started it in 1923. Their family gives Eau Claire a continuous 88-year climate record.

Dr. Louis Uccellini, director of the National Weather Service, sent a letter stating, “Cooperative Weather Observers like you serve a critical role by contributing to our knowledge and understanding of the local, national and global climate. Your observations over the last 45 years prove your deep level of commitment to public service and are a lasting and important contribution to the NWS, research and private sector communities. More specifically, they have helped us to understand and solve problems related to climate change, commerce, transportation and agriculture. Thank you for your dedication and faithful service over so many years.”

Teichman’s award is named for Dick Hagemeyer (1924-2001), whose NOAA career spanned 51 years, the last 20 as Pacific Region director.

Early in his career, Hagemeyer served as Cooperative Program manager and was an ardent supporter of the Cooperative Observer program.

Teichman, who has always been generous in sharing his data with local government and the media, always expresses concern about making sure his weather observations are correct and that they get to the NWS on time.

“The fruit business is highly governed by the weather,” Teichman said. “Rainfall, drought, heat and frost are just some of the factors that affect our many fruit trees.”

His business just west of Indian Lake encompasses apples, apricots, cherries, nectarines, peaches, pears and plums.

The Weather Service previously presented Teichman a Thomas Jefferson Award, its highest, in 2011 and the John Campanius Holm Award in 2006. Holm made weather records in what is now Wilmington, Del., without benefit of instruments in 1644-45 — the earliest known recorded U.S. observations. Jefferson maintained an almost unbroken record of weather observations between 1776 and 1816.

 

Janet Zielke, U.S. Rep. Fred Upton’s senior constituent representative in the congressman’s St. Joseph district office, shared a letter from the congressman.

“You’re an important resource, and we thank you for your service,” Upton wrote. “Farmers, engineers, public safety officials, school leaders and many more community members appreciate your constant observation. In 45 years, you’ve surely made an impact. This prestigious recognition only adds to your exceptional record of service, as it wasn’t too long ago you were recognized with the Thomas Jefferson Award.”

Adam Mensinger, district representative for state Sen. John Proos, R-St. Joseph, presented a legislative tribute also signed by state Rep. Dave Pagel, R-Berrien Springs.