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(KSL News) -- You've probably heard it by now, this is Mark Eubank's final night with KSL. He's retiring from television. But if you know Mark, he's not completely retiring. He always has been and will continue to be a weatherman.
In fact, his passion for weather has made him a fixture in Utah homes for decades. Dennis Tolman checks the temperature and wind velocity and rain gauges and reports into Mark Eubank every day.
Dennis Tolman, WeatherWatcher since 1971:" I contacted Mark and he sent me plans to do the weather box and what equipment I needed to put in it."
Mark Eubank made Dennis Tolman an official WeatherBank WeatherWatcher 35 years ago. He has carried his official WeatherWatcher card -- number 2405, signed by Mark Eubank-- ever since he was in junior high school in Ephraim, Utah.
Dennis Tolman, WeatherWatcher since 1971: "I treasured this. This was the most important thing that I had. The guy is a master at teaching people and bringing those kinds of things, some of them fairly technical, right down to the level where we could all understand and appreciate them."
Mark's ability to connect with big people and little kids about all things weather is personal. Just listen to this letter from a little girl in West Valley who wrote with a perfectly reasonable request.
"Dear Weather Man- Will you send some wind so I can fly my kite. Shannon B. Give me a call if you need me. "
"Dear Shannon, Thanks for your nice letter. We will be sending you some wind next week, so get ready. It will be great for flying your kite. I hope you have fun."
Tosh Kano, Weather Tortoise Owner, Eubank Collaborator: "He loves weather!!!"
Tosh Kano has known Mark for more than 40 years and Mark has made Tosh's "wonder" tortoise "ET" famous for her incredible ability to predict how harsh or mild Utah's winters will be.
Tosh Kano, Weather Tortoise Owner, Eubank Collaborator: "And so far she's been right every year, and actually that's better record than mark eubank's forecasting."
Dennis Tolman, WeatherWatcher since 1971: "Anybody that's watched him for while knows that there's not just four seasons. It's winter, spr-inter; spring, spr-ummer; summer, fall and f-inter. I think I may have missed one or two!"
Tosh Kano: "It's gonna be hard to fill his shoes. We're gonna miss him very much."
Many of you have posted comments on our website, thanking Mark for his many years of service, and to share stories. One long-time viewer recorded his tribute to Mark in a song.
Local songwriter and producer, Robert Lund is like so many of our viewers, he practically grew up watching Mark doing the weather. He didn't want to let Mark retire without some sort of tribute. Lund, known for his parodies, took and old Sonny and Cher tune and rewrote the words.
They say when Mark
Walks out the door
The skies will not
Send weather anymore
Well I don't know
If all that's true
But after forty-two years, I'll miss Eu...
...bank
I'll miss Eubank
I'll miss Eubank
They say that folks
Tune in each night
To find out if
His jacket's dark or white
From St. George up to Idaho Without him, we'd be stuck out in the snow...
...bank
I'll miss Eubank
I'll miss Eubank
We're in good hands
They're your son's
But I wish the news
Played - re - runs
On TV
You'll always love me -te-o-ro-lo-gy
Through highs and lows
I must conclude
There's no one like
My hometown weather dude
The best one in America
And there's a fact that you can take to the...
...bank
I'll miss Eubank
I'll miss Eubank
Thanks, MARK...EU...BANK!"
And Kevin, if you're looking for a stocking stuffer for your dad, Robert said he'd burn a CD of the song!
