Doug Oliver

Oliver, Doug San Diego Radio/TV Personality Dies at 90 SAN DIEGO -- Doug Oliver, KFMB Channel 8 weatherman for over 20 years, died March 15 of complications of old age. He was 90 years old. Retired from broadcasting since 1989, Doug Oliver moved to television from radio in 1954. He became KFMB-TV's weatherman in 1961. Unlike most of today's weather forecasters, Oliver was not a meteorologist. In interviews he would state, "I knew absolutely nothing about weather. I copied the guy before me and learned on the job with the help of the staff at the San Diego weather bureau." He was the original host of Channel 8's Sylvania Award-winning "Zoorama," telecast live from the San Diego Zoo on Sunday afternoons, and for ten years was the commentator for El Cajon's annual Mother Goose Parade. The son of Raymond Oliver, a department head at General Electric, and Ethel Henry Oliver, Douglas Oliver was born in Lynn, Mass., in 1923. A graduate of Lynn English High School, he spent a short time at a business college, then enrolled in a radio announcing school in Boston. He landed his first radio job in 1943 at WLAW in Lawrence, Mass., the city where he met his wife of 55 years, Georgia. The couple moved to San Diego in 1947. Georgia Oliver died in 2000. Oliver's radio days in San Diego began with the NBC-affiliate KFSD, which broadcast from the U.S. Grant hotel. He is remembered as host of the top-rated early-morning show, "Slumber Busters." In 1952 he moved to pre-Top 50 format radio KCBQ, where he hosted the morning program, "Kaffee Klatsch," which aired with a live audience from the Manor Hotel on El Cajon Blvd. Two years later he was hired as a staff announcer at KFMB-TV, becoming one of San Diego's top television personalities for 35 years. A classically-trained pianist, Oliver's great loves were jazz and big bands, Oscar Peterson and Art Tatum. He was well known in San Diego for his musical "moonlighting," playing at clubs and events. He was a Life Member of the San Diego Musicians' Union. Oliver was a member of downtown's First Presbyterian Church, serving as a Deacon and an Elder. He served on the boards of the local Volunteers of America and the Children's Dental Health Association. He was a member of the San Diego Press Club and a charter member of the Pacific Southwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Gold Circle, a special award given to TV pioneers. He is survived by sons Douglas (Jr.), of Los Angeles, David of Chula Vista, Calif., daughter Kathy Oliver Miller of Piedmont, Calif., grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, March 26, at 2:00 p.m. in the sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church, 320 Date Street. Donations may be made to the Heart Association. Flowers may be sent to First Presbyterian Church, Sanctuary.