KENNETH REEVES, METEOROLOGIST

BIG snowstorm coming? Blame Ken Reeves.

Heat wave scorching the city? Blame Ken Reeves.

Hurricane sweeping up the coast? Ditto.

OK, Ken didn't actually generate these weather conditions, but you've heard the old saying: blame the messenger.

Ken Reeves was the messenger. As a meteorologist for AccuWeather for 29 years, Ken was the guy reporters called not only for what was coming, but for what had been and what it all meant.

In the midst of a heat wave in 1997, Ken predicted, "There is no sign the heat is going to break real soon."

When the region was inching toward a record 100 inches of snow in 2010, Ken opined in mid-February, "I'd be shocked if there weren't one more or two more significant storms."

When Hurricane Charley was barreling up the coast in '04, Ken was not optimistic. "Someone could end up getting 4, 5, 6 inches of rain. That concerns us."

That was another characteristic of Ken Reeves. Concern. He really cared about the impact that the weather had on ordinary people.

Kenneth W. Reeves, senior meteorologist and director of forecasting operations for AccuWeather and a community activist, died March 25 after a fall at his home in Lemont, Pa. He was 50.

"Ken had a passion for weather and a passion for everything he did, with a larger than life personality," his family said in an obituary in the Centre Daily Times.

"He touched all he came into contact with and will be deeply missed by so many as a mentor, a colleague, a friend and a loved one."

Company founder Dr. Joel N. Myers said, "Ken contributed to the success of the company in many ways over the years."

AccuWeather's CEO, Barry Lee Myers, said, "Ken was a person of great energy, was liked by all and will be greatly missed."

Ken was born in Philadelphia to Frank H. and Arlette Espenshade Reeves. He grew up in Abington and graduated from Abington High School in 1979. While in high school, he trained three days a week with the head meteorologist at the Franklin Institute.

He went on to Penn State University, from which he graduated with a bachelor's degree in meteorology in 1983. He was vice president of the Undergraduate Student Government and was named to Who's Who Among American College Students. He also was active with the campus weather service.

Less than a month after graduating, Ken started working for AccuWeather, the worldwide weather service based in State College.

He rose steadily through the ranks and was instrumental in the establishment of AccuData, a weather database for government agencies, weather hobbyists, pilots and others who need weather information. He also helped integrate Apple Macintosh computer systems into AccuWeather's forecasting operations.

Ken married Raychel Harvey-Jones in 2011.

Among his community activities, he was long active with the Mount Nittany Conservancy, which seeks to protect the recreational area near State College from commercial development.

He also was a player and coach on local softball leagues and was an active fundraiser for the Children's Hospital of Orange County, Calif. He was a member of the State College Presbyterian Church.

Besides his wife, he is survived by a sister, Beverly Thompson, and a brother, Stephen F. Reeves.

Services: Were March 29.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Mount Nittany Conservancy, Box 334, State College PA 16804, or Children's Hospital of Orange County, 505 S. Main St., Orange, CA 92868.