Wednesday, March 2, 2016

The Final Curtain...


A Fond Farewell to My Friends
A Message from Bob Breck
Delivered March 3, 2016

On this special night I can't help but think: "How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard?"  That's the words of Winnie the Pooh.  C'mon, this is the Breckster gang, you didn't think I'd quote Hemingway did you?
I can only say "Wow"! Tonight completes a 45-year journey. The last 38 years have been here at WVUE Channel 8.  What a hoot this has been!  Few people get to live the life they've always dreamed of living.  But I've been blessed, and it's been an honor and privilege to be with you night after night. 
I hope I have made you laugh and learn, think and sigh, stand ready and yet, relax ... even in uncertain times.  I've relished every moment: the costumes and plaid coats, the tears and jeers. I came to meet so many of you personally at school visits, Kiwanis, Rotary and Chamber Club meetings, fairs and festivals and events all through our community.  It was always you who made me feel welcomed and where I wanted to be. 
I have so many to thank: my wife Brenda, my sons, my many managers, co-workers and all my weather observers.  But it was you, my viewers, who became the wind beneath these wings. Your embrace was always warm regardless of the temperature outside. I can't thank you enough for allowing me so many fond memories. 
Tonight brings me closer to a new beginning where I can enjoy the sun, dodge the rain, and enjoy my own Cloud Nine.  I've agreed to join my colleagues and offer analysis and opinion in the event of a pending hurricane.  For all of our sakes, let's hope that we never have to meet under those circumstances. But if you see me passing by give me a wink, a nod, a handshake, a hello ... and I will smile knowing that we are friends.
I am leaving Ch. 8 knowing I have a great team of knowledgeable, experienced meteorologists who will continue to be Your Weather Authority.


21 comments:

Unknown said...

Well said. I wish you well in your journey!!!

Paul Amedee said...

Thank you Bob for giving us your honest, trustworthy forecast. I've been a fan for many years, always trusting your forecast and enjoying your on-screen personality. The one thing that made you different than the others was you actually gave your professional opinion which is not often done by the others. Again, thank you and congrats on your retirement.

Unknown said...

Well spoken Bob! Your are leaving us in good hands and we will miss you. You have taken care of us for so many years - now it's time to take care of you. Enjoy retirement and live it to the fullest! Congrats!!

Anonymous said...

Good Luck Bob. You earned it!!! I grew up watching you from southern Terrebonne in Pointe-Aux-Chenes. And through many years as an LA State Trooper.

Teresa said...

Moved to tears...❤ u

Brandon said...

Congrats Bob! Well said! Your a great weather caster, and a better human being! Enjoy your retirement, but know we all will miss you but are lucky to have had you as "our meteorologist"'n

Unknown said...

Hello Bob, you remind me so much of Sonny Elliot (r.i.p) a weatherman for Detroit ages ago that I enjoyed watching as a kid. I have truly enjoyed you for the short period that I have been here in Louisiana. I wish you and your Beautiful Wife a joyful, Awesome, and Blessed retirement. GOD Bless you both. Pashunn (passion) Williams ❤

Unknown said...

Mr Breck you have been on TV most of my life and I have watched only you since you've been on air. Although tonight is bitter sweet for me. I am shedding some tears because this is your last night and we won't have the comfort of your optomism anymore. You have comforted us in times when other channels were trying to panic us. I don't know what we are gonna do without you everyday.. But like I said this is bitter sweet. I am glad that you will get to enjoy the things you want to do, that is most important for you and your family. It is just out of our selfishness that we don't want you to go. You have been such a idol to me that a few years ago I wanted to get a weather station so that I can report the rain totals to you. My husband gifted me one for Christmas and off I went reporting to you from Abita Springs. It has been a pleasure to call in my rain totals to you for the past few years. You sure know how to make all your weather observers feel important. No one can ever replace you. Knowing you from TV I know you will make the most of your retirement and it will be fun. Just know that we appreciate your service for the many years you have given.. HAVE FUN AND ENJOY YOUR RETIREMENT!!!! YOUR WEATHER OBSERVER FROM ABITA SPRINGS, TAMMY.

P.S. Sorry I didn't get to come to the station to meet you, but at least I got to see you in Argus. It made my day!!!

Unknown said...

You have always been the voice of reason while calming our fears as impending storms approach. I am 38 years old so I don't remember a time when you haven't been the person we depend on to deliver the weather. I will miss you but I want to say congratulations, good luck and God bless! Enjoy your retirement!

Unknown said...

You will be missed congratulations on your retirement may God keep blessing you and your family love you Bob.

Unknown said...

You will be missed congratulations on your retirement may God keep blessing you and your family love you Bob.

NolaChick said...

You'll be missed, Bob! Safe travels on your next journey and enjoy your retirement!

ExpoSigns said...

They will carve your image on the mountaintop next to Nash!!! All Hail Bob!

AlbanySnowMaker said...

You will be missed greatly, Bob. Looking forward to your blog posts. :)) And IF there's a storm in the gulf, We'll be looking for the "little fella" :))

Jenny said...

We will miss you so much Bob, Enjoy your retirement years ahead. May you be in the best of health and able to do what you want to do. Be safe in your travels. Praying for you and your family.

Unknown said...

Thank you so much for the past 38 years! You will truly be missed by all! God's blessings upon your new chapter of life!!

Unknown said...

Gonna miss watching u Bob. You always made me laugh. Thanks for all the wonderful years . Happy Retirement

Unknown said...

I will miss watching you. You were my weatherman to catch the weather. I come to your site often and read all your blogs and it speaks to me. We have similar beliefs and your quick update on the extended forecast made up for missing you on a live forecast. I watched the final 9PM and 10PM news cast and felt I was saying goodbye to an old friend....I was 16 when you started your career here...So I got all 38 years...

I will continue to watch Ch 8, but it wont be the same...

May the fish always bite and you miss the sand traps...

Bourbon Street Blues...

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Unknown said...

@BobBreckFOX8@BobBreckFOX8 i know im a little late, but i never could get my message through your blog. i read it almost every new posting you put on there. i'm truly going to miss you off fox8 but im aware you said in the event of an approaching storm you will broadcast!! whew!! kinda hard to say here i wanna see ya back on air, but i don't wanna see a storm.lol😇Overall i 🙏🏾pray for your well being, health and strength and that you and your wife have a warm comforty& loving time together on your retirement😇its😥to see you go but im happy😊you got to retire doing what you love! you made watching the weather interesting& made me laugh at times😂Bottom line NOBODY can do it like the Breckster💙love you& i will miss you!! Be Blessed🎉🎈💥🎈💥🎉🎆🎇

Pompo/Webmaster said...

Bob there don't be another one like you! All great things must come to an end sooner or later. Congratulations on you well deserved retirement and I already miss you on the weather forecast ! Enjoy your free time! Pompp