10 News Chief Meteorologist Dick Fletcher had earned the American Meteorological Society's Certified Broadcast Meteorologist designation. It is professional recognition of the quality of his broadcasts. He served the Tampa Bay Area since 1980.

As Chief Meteorologist, Fletcher was responsible for the overall operation of the Weather Center and anchoring the weathercasts for 10 News at 4:00, 6:00 and 11:00 each weekday.

He flew reconnaissance aircraft missions into three hurricanes and made 15 different penetrations into the eye of the storm.

In 1987, he was honored by The American Meteorological Society with an award for Outstanding Service by a Broadcast Meteorologist.

He was presented the distinguished service award by the National Hurricane Conference in 2003 for his career leadership efforts in hurricane preparedness. He also received the Media award from the Governor's Hurricane Conference in 1993.

Fletcher also worked closely with the Pinellas County Coalition for the Homeless, forecasting the need for cold night shelters.

Fletcher held a Bachelor's of Science degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and a Certificate of Broadcast Meteorology from Mississippi State University. He did advanced studies in College of Marine Science at the University of South Florida.

A week after he suffered a stroke, Dick Fletcher passed away early in the morning of Tuesday, February 26, 2008.  Everyone at Tampa Bay's 10 will miss him dearly.