By Tom Weber, KWMU
St. Louis, MO – KWMU Meteorologist Ben Abell announced Thursday night that he will retire from his forecasting gig at the radio station at the end of April.
His weather reports have been a part of KWMU ever since the station went on the air, in 1972. He says his last forecast will be on April 27.
The announcement was made at the Winemakers' Dinner, an annual fundraiser for KWMU.
Abell, 75, told attendees he wants to spend more time writing and researching. He also quipped that he's only at the beginning of a "five-year" retirement, as he will take a few more years to leave Saint Louis University. That's where he teaches meteorology.
KWMU also presented Abell with the Millard Cohen Lifetime Achievement Award on Thursday for his years of service. Other honors include being a 2006 inductee into the St. Louis Radio Hall of Fame.
Ben and Bill Conway are the only voices that have been on KWMU since the beginning. Conway presents a daily update on local stocks.