(Quote from Tom Skilling after I took his picture in 2017.)
Chicago’s favorite weatherman, Tom Skilling, retired last week after 45 years of doing the weather on @wgnnews. I had the good fortune to photograph Tom on a couple occasions. And he really was the nicest guy in the world. He always had time to talk to everyone who wanted to speak to him. One time, he was supposed to give a talk to hundreds of students and other community people, but before he could find his spot up at the podium, several people came by and engaged him in conversation. It was hard to get him to stop talking, until someone gently lead him away so the meeting could begin. Another time, I photographed him at a different event and ended up riding in a freight elevator with him and two or three Illinois politicians. Tom was once again as friendly as could be, while the politicians stood there in stony, guarded silence.
I’ve photographed several world leaders, politicians, famous athletes, musicians, and film stars, but Tom was the nicest of them all.
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