OBSERVER EARNS HONOR FOR KEEPING EYES ON THE SKIES

S. Valley resident lauded for 38 years of service

National Weather Service recognizes resident of South Valley who weathered all adversities to work continuously for 38 years.

The National Weather Service has honored volunteer weather observer Robert DeBlassie of Bernalillo County’s South Valley with its John Campanius Holm Award for his 38 continuous years of service. The recipient of the award, given to no more than 25 individuals each year, must have served for at least 20 years to be eligible and to have consistently provided accurate and complete observations even during periods of hazardous or extreme weather, organizers said in a news release.

In addition, they must have demonstrated an unusual effort to provide observations despite illness, emergency absences or equipment failure, the Weather Service said.

This award recognizing cooperative observers for outstanding accomplishments in meteorological observations is named for a Lutheran minister, John Campanius Holm, the first person known to have taken systematic weather observations in the American colonies, according to a news release.

He made observations of climate without the use of instruments in 1644 and 1645, near the present site of Wilmington, Del.

DeBlassie on Nov. 16 received his certificate signed by the administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

COURTESY OF THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE From left, National Weather Service meteorologist Kerry Jones, weather observer Robert DeBlassie, his wife, Rosie DeBlassie, and weather service meteorologists Raymond Jojola and Troy Marshall.