In Memory of Rod

Those of you who read my blog back in December during our "Arctic Blast" know what a huge fan I am of Rod Hill. Well, last week, after blogging about our "tornado-ish" weather, I heard the devastating news that KATU has let him go!!??? I feel like the rug has been pulled out from under me. I was in denial for a while and didn't even want to check if it was true.

Now, as it has sunk in, I am ready to face the truth. Tonight I did some Google searching and looking around on the KATU website. Looking on their site makes it look like Rod Hill never existed! I am heartbroken. I am so mad about the whole thing. I don't even care about the weather anymore. If a heatwave is coming, a hurricane or another arctic blast, I just don't care anymore. It won't have the same excitement and fun without Rod. I never thought I'd be depressed about a weatherman disappearing from my life. Boo Hoo. Frank* and I were so disappointed we both wrote e-mails to the general manager at KATU. If there are any more fans like us, I encourage you to join in my fight to stand up for Rod! I am on a crusade. Okay, not really, but I think they should know how lame they are for letting Rod go.

gm@katu.com

Here is what I wrote. I'm sure it will bring the GM to tears, make him think twice about his ways and beg Rod to come back. Sigh - in a perfect world. Anyway, Rod, maybe somewhere out there you will see this and other responses just like mine from fans all over the northwest. We will miss you and wish you and your family the best... sniff sniff.... please come back...

Dear mean and horrible GM jerk, (okay I didn't actually say that, but everything below is an exact copy.)

I never write letters like this, but I am so disappointed in the decision of KATU to let Rod Hill go. And after looking at the media that I can find in the matter, I know you must be getting a ton of response for this big mistake. Any time my husband or I had any questions relating to weather we tuned into KATU or on the KATU website - we LOVED Rod. We will not be tuning in anymore. I've never boycotted a news station before, I've never really cared much about news anchors or reporters, but Rod had a way of connecting with his audience. I don't understand why in the world you didn't see that. He was so thorough in everything he did, had an awesome personality and you could tell weather was his passion - we especially loved tuning in to see his commentary during big weather events - he'd get so fired up and we LOVED it! Shame on you for letting him go in such a disrespectful way, no goodbyes to his fans, no explanation, no warning - there is no reason to treat someone who brought so many viewers to your station in such a way. I am very sorry to see him go and will be watching anxiously to see where he goes. I hope he and his family are doing okay - that aspect always gets pushed aside when it comes to BUSINESS...

Blah - I am disgusted, I have nothing more to say except...
Rod Hill rocks! (o: