KPGZ Introduces Pete Chaston Scholarship

Following the passing of KPGZ Weather Director Pete Chaston, KPGZ received numerous emails and phone calls requesting information regarding donating memorial funds to the radio station in Pete Chaston’s memory. This inspired KPGZ Station Manager Brian Watts to organize a scholarship fund.

KPGZ Weather Director Pete Chaston

Chaston, who was KPGZ’s Weather Director and Sunday afternoon doo-wop show host, died Wednesday, June 15, 2022 at Liberty Hospital.  He was 78 years old. 

“Mary Chaston told me that Pete loved volunteering at the radio station, and wanted memorial funds to be donated to the station,” said Watts. “I thought the best way to honor and remember Pete would be to create a scholarship in his name that would help future broadcast journalism students.”

KPGZ has received several emails and phone calls for information about donating to the Chaston Memorial.

“We are receiving those memorial donations now and will be working with the Kearney School District to set up the scholarship,” Watts said. “If there are fans and listeners who would like to contribute, we would appreciate their help. Pete had many fans who loved his doo-wop show, and tuned in every week from all over the world. He will be missed by his listeners and his friends here at 102.7FM.”

Donations can be dropped off or sent to 102.7FM KPGZ at 455 Sam Barr Drive, Suite 209, Kearney, MO 64060. The radio station asks that donors please note that funds are for the Pete Chaston memorial. For questions, contact Brian Watts at 816-826-1111.

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.

KPGZ News - Brian Watts and Jim Dickerson contributed to this story