Distinguished Alumnus
Class of 2024

Robert David Reese
April 28, 1962 - October 9, 2012

AHS Class of 1980

Robert Reese was many things to many people, but among all of the people who knew him there was a common denominator that made him unforgettable and that was that Robert always knew how to make them laugh.

Robert David Reese, the son of Robert “Bob” Reese and Mary Smith Reese, was born at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois on April 28, 1962. Robert’s father was a 20-year veteran of the United States Air Force, having met and married his wife, Mary, while stationed in Germany in 1961. After his retirement, Bob and Mary settled in Arcola with their three children, Robert, Madeline, and Vanessa.

Robert attended Arcola schools and graduated from Arcola High School on June 6, 1980. He attended Eastern Illinois University at Charleston, Illinois and graduated from the broadcast meteorology program at Mississippi State University.

Robert briefly worked as a police officer in Kansas, Illinois. But his education, training, and talent steered him toward his dream of a career in broadcasting and to becoming a meteorologist, which was his niche, and allowed him to achieve success. He started his career as an on-air personality on radio where he worked for several radio stations throughout Central Illinois, including WEIC located in Charleston.

In 1993, Robert began his television career as a meteorologist at WAND-TV in Decatur where he was “known for his easy going demeanor on screen and the connection that he seemed to build with his audience.” (Jim Vorel, staff writer, Decatur Herald & Review, Oct. 12, 2012). In 1998, he began working for WCIA 3 in Champaign, where he would spend the rest of his career, eventually becoming chief meteorologist. He continued to report weather for WBGL and other local radio stations.

In an article in the Decatur Herald & Review on Oct. 12, 2012, WAND-TV Meteorologist Greg Trumbold, who was trained by Robert, said that a meteorologist’s job isn’t so much about being right all of the time, but rather to “make a connection.” He said Robert “had that ability to make you feel like he was part of your family, even on the radio,” and that he “had a relatable quality; whatever it is, he had it.”

From the beginning of his radio career, Robert found a following because of that relatable quality. With the advent of his television career, Robert began to collect a legion of fans, or more to the point a legion of friends.

Once Robert found his home on television, the full extent of his talent and dedication, and his delightful personality made an immediate and lasting impact. Judy Fraser, longtime WCIA 3 weathercaster and colleague, said this about Robert, “When it came to the serious business of weathercasting there was no one to compare. He was validated, he was credible, he was respected by everyone, including me.” (Remembering Robert, October 2022.)

Another of his WCIA 3 colleagues, Matt Metcalf, spoke of Robert’s leadership and how Robert helped people plan their lives or escape dangerous weather, if necessary. It was something Metcalf said Robert took very seriously.

But Robert’s greatest work achievement was the connection, the bond he formed with his audience, and with the people whose lives he touched. His WCIA 3 colleague and friend, Jennifer Roscoe said, “We all connected with him. There was not one person who didn’t like Robert.”

Robert was always an engaged citizen, participating in many events throughout Central Illinois such as the American Heart Association "Heart Throb Bachelor Auction” in 1994, visiting nursing home residents in 2006, and helping his beloved hometown with registration and awards at the Arcola Broomcorn 10k and 5k Races in 2007. (The list of events in which he participated is far too long to present here.)

Robert was a very compassionate man who spent a great deal of time volunteering for various causes and was particularly devoted to helping children. Robert became a familiar host of the Central Illinois Muscular Dystrophy Association Labor Day Telethon, participated in MDA summer camp, and regularly visited Camp New Hope, Illinois’ premiere facility for recreational programs for individuals with special needs, located at Lake Mattoon in rural Neoga.

Robert was also a volunteer board member with Mid-Illinois Big Brothers Big Sisters in Charleston and was named Big Brothers Big Sisters Volunteer of the Year in 1998. Robert also served as a volunteer with the Douglas County Emergency Services and Disaster Agency.

After Robert was diagnosed with cancer, he volunteered for charitable events to help cancer survivors, often being asked to emcee events where he could put his considerable humor and charm to good use.

Robert’s professional pride and joy was the WCIA 3 “kidcaster” program in which he introduced kids to the science of weather and invited them to forecast weather with him. Jacob Dickey, one of Robert’s proteges said Robert was “more than a meteorologist, he had a passion for being involved in the community and helping those around him. Even up to his final days, he continued to put others before himself.” (Remembering Robert, October 2022.)

On October 9, 2012, Robert lost a courageous battle with esophageal cancer, leaving a huge hole in the hearts of all who knew him.

Robert was a devoted family man, he adored his children, he was a great husband, brother, son, friend, and he was a great co-worker. Robert’s family and friends will always remember his passion for music, airplanes, cars and his love of classic and horror movies. But most of all, they will remember the way he cared for them and how he always made them laugh.

Robert is survived by his wife Pamela, his four children, Rachel, Matthew, Michelle, and Michael, his grandchildren Lexi, Dallas and Maggie, his sisters Madeline and Vanessa, his loving mother Mary, and his legion of friends.