Eric Nefstead-Meteorologist Emeritus
By: Aaron Rice
Updated: April 11, 2013
As many of you know, Eric has been off the air for some time for a medically-related leave of absence. He wishes to thank all of you who have called or emailed the station with your support, or written cards wishing him a speedy recovery.
Eric was born in the southeast second-story bedroom of his grandfather's home on 11th St. in Rochelle, Ill. He grew up on a black angus farm on the edge of Steward, Ill. where he developed a strong interest in all of nature. He graduated from Rochelle Township High School.
Following high school, he attended the University of Illinois until joining the U.S. Navy. He served four years, including one year of duty in Vietnam as a Operating Room Technician attached to the 1st Marine Division Hospital in Da Nang and the 3rd Marine Division Hospital in Dong Ha, and at sea aboard the USS Valley Forge and the USS Tripoli.
Following the service Eric attended and graduated from Northern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science in Geography with course work in both meteorology and climatology. He worked as a broadcast meteorologist in four Midwestern states including North Dakota and Iowa, but all of his recent experiences have been in Wisconsin and Illinois. The last three cities that Eric worked in were Rhinelander, Green Bay and Rockford. In 1982, he earned the (AMS) American Meteorological Society Seal of Approval for Television Broadcasting - an honor given to recognize meteorologists for their knowledge and broadcasting presentation of the weather.
Eric's interest in the weather began as a child roaming the fields and streams with his dog, Tippy. He was out nearly every day watching the clouds learning how the weather worked first hand. He loved to watch the thunderstorms develop from heavy cumulus clouds, and follow their movement until they passed out of the area. Besides weather, Eric's interests include gardening, beekeeping and public speaking. Most of Eric's friends and family live in the northern Illinois area. He has a son Tom, who works in the tourism business in Arizona.
