SEATTLE — It is with a heavy heart that we announce KOMO 4’s Steve Pool passed away this week surrounded by family and friends.
He died on Nov. 21 after battling early-onset Alzheimer’s, according to Pool’s family. He was 70 years old.
Steve was a Seattle broadcasting pioneer on KOMO 4 serving as the station’s beloved weatherman and frequent host of charitable events. He began his career as an intern at the station when he was still a college student at the University of Washington in 1974.
In 1977, he was hired full-time right out of school and never looked back.
Steve wore many hats at KOMO 4 in his early career. He covered sports and hard news before becoming KOMO 4’s chief weather forecaster in 1984, and it was a natural fit.
Steve was so good, ABC’s Good Morning America asked him to fill-in more than 70 times over the years. In addition, Steve was featured on the cover of Seattle Magazine twice and named numerous times as the readers choice for best weatherman in Seattle Magazine’s “Best of Seattle”. Twice he was also named the best weathercaster in the “Seattle Weekly” annual newspaper poll. He was also featured in the March 2006 edition of Esquire Magazine.
Steve also served on several charitable boards and later hosted KOMO 4’s Miracle Network for Children’s Hospital.
Personally, Steve won seven Emmy awards for excellence in broadcasting, a Sigma Delta Chi Society of Professional Journalism award, gold and bronze medals from the New York International Film Festival, a National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences American Scene Award, two “Telly” Awards, an Academy of Religious Broadcasting Lifetime Achievement Award, and was also part of the news team that was the 2001 and 2007 winner of the Edward R. Murrow Award for the best newscast in America.
In 2004, he was inducted into the University of Washington Communications Hall of Fame.
In 2019, after 42 years, Steve retired from television and on his last show, he spoke from the heart.
“I’d say 99.9% of the things I was able to do here was so far, so hugely more than I ever dreamed in my wildest dreams,” Steve said talking about his retirement. “Really, to be able to do this business and to be able to be successful with it, I’m really proud of that.”
Steve continued to make contributions to KOMO 4 even in retirement. He came up with the idea for the documentary How Seattle Changed The World, which premiered on KOMO 4 in February 2023. The documentary shares how people in the Seattle area created new products, services, and innovations that made life easier and better for people all over the world. The documentary was dedicated to Steve Pool.
People across the region are sharing their memories of Steve and how he impacted their lives. From KOMO 4 viewers to Steve’s interns in the weather center, he made a lasting impression and will be deeply missed.
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell also shared his condolences for the Pool family Friday, calling Steve a “news legend and pioneer.”
A Seattle news legend and pioneer, Steve Pool was kind and authentic – he epitomized professionalism. I join in mourning his passing and send my heartfelt condolences to his family,” the mayor posted. “Steve’s legacy will live on through the people and causes he supported.
Steve adored his family and when he talked about them, he would beam with pride. He is survived by his wife Michelle, and his daughters Lindsey and Marissa.