Pocatello weather service chief to retire

After a 35-year career, Pocatello’s National Weather Service Meteorologist-in-Charge Dean Hazen is retiring at the end of the month.

Hazen began his career as a U.S. Air Force meteorologist. His service took him to Korea and he finished as a key member of the Space Shuttle forecasting team in Melbourne, Florida. He left the Air Force at the rank of Captain.

Hazen was selected to be the first Science and Operations Officer for the modernized Pocatello weather office in 1993.

According to his co-workers, “Dean will be remembered for both the scientific integrity that he brought in support of the NWS mission and for the leadership and vision that he demonstrated throughout his career.”

Hazen has also been active in the community as a former Chairman of the Greater Pocatello/Chubbuck Chamber of Commerce and Portneuf District Library Board of Trustees.