'Keeping People Safe When The Weather Gets Bad, That Responsibility Is What Kept Me Hooked'

By Brian M. Johnson, The Bristol Press

November 19, 2021

Longtime WFSB Meteorologist Bruce DePrest has announced that after 43 years he will retire.

DePrest, who began with Traveler’s Weather Service in 1978, became a full-time meteorologist with WFSB in 1984. DePrest said that even though he has been “in it for the long haul” sometimes, his first day still seems like yesterday.

“I’ve been interested in weather ever since I was a little kid,” said DePrest. “As I grew up, I moved from Chicago to Utah to Connecticut and I saw all kinds of weather. Growing up in the ‘60s, I saw a lot of advances in science including landing a man on the moon. I always thought it would be cool to help people plan their lives around the weather. What I have always loved about it is that you’re taking the science of weather and communicating that very difficult science to the viewers and telling them how it will impact their lives. It is that blend of science and communication skills that I’ve always loved.”

DePrest said that he has always appreciated the trust that people placed in him to help keep them safe during bad weather.

“Keeping people safe when the weather gets bad, that responsibility is what kept me hooked,” he said. “I will miss the excitement of weather, that’s for sure. There’s always something exciting about when a big snowstorm comes in.”

DePrest said he will miss all of the “wonderful” people that he has worked with over the years as well, including Al Terzi and the late Denise D'Ascenzo and Charlie Bagley. He is proud to have been Channel 3’s longest serving anchor.

DePrest said that, in his retirement, he and his wife Cheryl plan to remain in Wethersfield. However, he expects that he will be busier in retirement than he is now.

“It will be tough to leave but at the same time it will be nice to watch snowstorms through the window and not have to worry about being on the air for 15 hours,” he said. “It will be nice to enjoy the home life. I plan on traveling, playing more golf, learning a language or two, exercising, fixing up the house and doing lots of things to keep my mind sharp. I may pick up the piano again. I had lessons as a kid and I feel bad that I never kept up. My wife and I are very avid gardeners and we post a lot of photos on Facebook. I also love to cook. People have reached out to me on Facebook on Twitter and they tell me that they hope I keep up with the food and garden pictures.”

DePrest said he will be doing lots of things to “try to get younger” instead of getting older.

“I’m several months beyond 65 and I know people who retired at a younger age and told me ‘Bruce, you will love it,’” he said. “As my good friend Gerry Brooks told me, ‘there’s live after TV.’”

DePrest’s last day at work will be New Year’s Eve.

“To those who have followed me over the years, I will miss you and I thank you so much for watching me – some of you for all 43 years,” he said. “I’ve had several people tell me that they’ve been watching me since they were a little kid. I’ve never let it go to my head that I’m on TV; I’ve always had the viewer in mind and put the information first. We’ve been through a lot of storms and bad things together – 9/11, Denise passing away two years ago, covid-19. I know we’ve been through a lot together and I want to let you know that I really appreciate you putting your trust in me.”

Brian M. Johnson can be reached at 860-973-1806 or bjohnson@bristolpress.com.