Tetsuya "Theodore" Fujita
1920-1998

©1998 AP

Dr. Tetsuya "Ted" Fujita passed away on 11/19/98. "Mr. Tornado," as he was called, was the world's most famous and successful Storm Investigator. Naturally, his death has left a void in the droves of meteorologists and storm investigators who followed his work.

Dr. Fujita's contributions to the science of Storm Investigation are unparalleled. He will probably be most often remembered for his invention of the Fujita (F) Scale for Tornadoes, but his endless works on thunderstorms, downbursts, and tornadoes have advanced the science immensely. His identification of downbursts have aided many to realize the full impact of strong straight-line thunderstorm winds and to consider their role in thunderstorms vs. the much touted tornado.

A Summary of his life is available on the respected WeatherWise Magazine Website. Long-time chaser and Storm-Track magazine editor Tim Marshall gives a detailed and interesting account of his life on the Storm Track Website.

I own two books by Dr. Fujita, "The Downburst" and "The DFW Microburst." I was first introduced to "The Downburst" while browsing the shelves at NWS-Asheville while I was volunteering there in the summer of 1994. I was amazed by the agility with which Mr. Fujita was able to draw complex conclusions based on small amounts of observational data. Later I was able to find the books through an out-of-print seller on the Internet.

I consider them among my most prized possessions.

I strongly admire and am inspired by few people in this world - Dr. Fujita was definitely one. He will be missed.

-Central Atlantic Storm Investigators Founder Jesse Ferrell

Additional Links:

• Obituaries
  • Associated Press
  • Chicago Tribune
  • Tornado Project

© 1998 Central Atlantic Storm Investigators