Thanks TonyT. Nicely thought out and put.TonyT wrote:Augie's infectious enthusiasm for all things to do with the weather has lead to a lot of people in NZ understanding the way the weather works a little better. He achieved this not just by being good at talking to ordinary people, but by being able to enthuse the media into giving him the air time to say his thing. He was not afraid to stand up and say what he thought, even if it provoked some controversy at times, and you have to admire that. I also admire the way he followed his heart by leaving his academic tenure in the US and moving himself and his family half way around the world to what he knew was a better life. I didnt always agree with some of the things he said, but meteorology in NZ has risen considerably in profile since he arrived here, and his input will certainly be missed - RIP.
Augie Auer was a deep thinker and not afraid to take an independent stance whilst taking the opportunity to make meteorology more interesting to the public. In many respects, he was a true scientist, and not afraid to voice a view that went against a popular trend. Right or wrong, people with his courage to stand against the tide need to be listened to so that the resulting debate improves our knowledge.
And in the meantime he gave us some memorable phrases that struck a chord with the public as he made meteorology more interesting.
NZ science has benefitted from the time that he spent with us.