Willard Scott is retiring after 35 years on the "Today" show and 65 years with NBC, the network announced this week.
The "Today" show announced Friday on its website that it will give the former morning show weatherman a send-off on Tuesday, but its anchors were already sharing stories about Scott, 81, on Friday.
Variety reported that "Today" will continue to share memories on social media until its show on Tuesday. One of the quotes tweeted came from Al Roker, the man who replaced Scott full-time on "Today."
"The news should be a blow to American centenarians or those soon to become one; saluting people who had reached the age of 100 had been Scott's special task in
recent years," wrote Maria Puente, of USA Today. "The genial Scott was the show's signature weatherman until he announced his semi-retirement in 1996, when Al Roker took over the job."
"Today" show anchors relived the 1989 inaugural parade for President George H. W. Bush, recalling the time incoming first lady Barbara Bush left the procession to give Scott a kiss.
"Barbara Bush singled him out," Matt Lauer said on "Today." "A member of the first family chose to single out America's weatherman. And I remember smiling from ear to ear for Willard at that moment."
Barbara Bush explained later that "I said, 'I don't know him I just love that face,'" according to "Today."
Scott had been appearing up to twice a week on the program to mark viewers' 100th birthdays. He started at NBC as a page in the network's Washington Bureau at 16, according to USA Today.
The former weatherman wed longtime partner Paris Keena in Fort Myers, Florida, last year after 11 years together, the newspaper noted.
Social media users started early in wishing Scott a fond farewell.
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