The Superior Express -

Recognizing 55 years of service, the National Weather Service (NWS) presented the Benjamin Franklin award to Bob Levin, the official weather observer for the Smith Center area. The presentation was made at his home in Smith Center. Phil Poyner, meteorologist in charge from the forecast office near Hastings, and Mike Reed, observation program leader, presented the award. Levin celebrated his 86th birthday on June 8.

Phil Poyner (left), Meteorologist-in-Charge of the NWS Hastings Weather Forecast Office, presents the Benjamin Franklin Award for Outstanding Service as a NWS Cooperative Weather Observer to Bob Levin.

Levin volunteered to become the cooperative observer for the Smith Center area in 1967 and has continuously provided daily observations of temperatures and precipitation. In his 55 years of service, he has provided more than 20,000 daily observations to the National Weather Service. These reports contain data used by NWS forecasters, hydrologists and climate scientists, as well as various government, educational entities, public and private organizations.

Levin previously received the two most prestigious awards obtainable as a NWS observer, The John Campanius Holm award, which is presented to only 25 observers each year nationally, and the Thomas Jefferson award, which is limited to only 5 observers each year. There are more than10,000 official NWS observers across the nation.