KPGZ Weather Director Dead at 78

KPGZ Weather Director, Pete Chaston, died Wednesday, June 15, 2022 at Liberty Hospital. He was 78 years old. 

Pete was born on December 31, 1943 in the Bronx of New York City. He served in the Air Force as a weather technician and went on to obtain his Bachelor’s degree in Meteorology/Oceanography from New York University.  Pete was employed by the National Weather Service for 27 years and during that time obtained his Master’s degree in Meteorology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  In Madison he met his wife Mary and they married in Milwaukee, WI in 1977.  During his time in the Weather Service, Pete developed the “Magic Snow Chart” which is still used by the Weather Service to measure snowfall.

In retirement, Pete wrote weather books and taught classes in meteorology at several Kansas City local universities.  Pete had a love of doo-wop music and he shared his love on his Sunday afternoon doo-wop show on 102.7FM KPGZ. He also provided weather updates. and served as the Weather Director at the station.  Pete, with his family, also loved to travel and had visited all 50 states and 26 countries.

A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating Pete’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, June 24, 2022 at Church of Annunciation, 701 N. Jefferson St. Kearney, MO. A Visitation will be held one hour prior to Mass. Private burial will be at Resurrection Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made on Peter’s behalf to his favorite charities: Church of the Annunciation or KPGZ 102.7 FM radio station in Kearney, MO. Condolences may be shared at meyersfuneralchapel.com Arrangements entrusted with Meyers Northland Chapel.