Tom Moses, Production Manager: "I used to hang out with Stan at the gun range. Besides being a fast draw champion he was very good at the Cowboy shoots. Stan and myself attended some of the competitive shoots in Bluefield, VA. That was after Stan taught me how to shoot. And he did take me to school. several times! Stan also loved to eat Brie cheese."
Frank Brady, General Manager: "Stan was doing weekends when I got to WVVA. Whenever he would come to the studio during the week, he would make a point of standing in my doorway and asking "How do you like this one"? referring to the color of his sport coat. It was fun and I don't think he repeated a color too often! He and his sense of humor will be greatly missed."
Yvonne Moses, Regional Sales Manager: "Many people don't know that I started at WVVA when I was 20 years old and working part time in Productions while I was in college. I can remember being nervous to run cameras for the 6p news with the "celebrities" I had grown up seeing on the other side of the TV. Stan was always friendly and funny. He never pulled any prima donna stunts or acted like he was something special, even though he was very special and had appeared on national TV. He inspired a couple of on air promotions, one that we still do today. Valentine Sweets was always done during weather so that Stan could draw the winner. Through the years while I was visiting local clients they would frequently ask me "Where's Stan Sweet?" After all of the years he had been off the air they still remembered his sense of humor and colorful suits during his forecasts. He would always wear his chroma key green suit for Halloween so that the director could key out everything but his head and hands. After all he was more of a personality and not a meteorologist. Last fall when Tom and I traveled to White Sulphur to attend Stan's book signing, he still had that same quick wit about him and he told Tom "Don't start none and there'll be none!" Stan was a one of a kind genuine person and will live on in the memories of the viewers of the two Virginia's forever."
Robert Pauley, Multimedia Journalist: WVVA News has lost a legendary member of their family. Stan Sweet was activist in Meteorology and a true leader throughout the community. I will never forget walking into the newsroom and introducing myself for the first time, he told me quick on the draw for I am Stan Sweet. He is definitely someone I've been able to look up to over the short years I've been in the media. For many of our viewers he will be remembered as 'Quick Draw' Stan Sweet. Stay tuned to WVVA for his funeral arrangements. RIP my friend.
Scott Harbaugh, former WVVA Meteorologist: There are people you call legends and people who truly are legends. Stan was, and is, a true legend. He possessed the rare combination of credibility and creativity... I will never forget much of Stan's advice to me during my years at WVVA. However, the one I seem to remember every time I step in front of the camera is "Scott, you need to smile more. It mill make the audience think you know something they don't know." Big smile and sad heart for you today, Stan ... I'm honored to say I worked with Stan for more than four years.
Tracy Kingsley Altizer, former WVVA Reporter: He was a pleasure to work with, definitely one of a kind!
Mark Brown, former WVVA Sports Anchor: They do not come any better than Stan. A true legend whom I was honored to share the set with at WVVA. .The Sports Challenge segment he and I did remains my favorite. RIP Stan. Somewhere Stan and Bob Denver are having a blast with that ladder they used to use during his weather segments.
Glen Willey, former WVVA Meteorologist: What an honor to have worked with Stan. Seasoned veteran or "greenest" of college graduates he treated us all the same. There never has been and never will be another Stan Sweet. RIP my friend, my thoughts are with Sylvi and your family... So many memories of Stan. I remember him showing me where he shot his guns just off the garage. I couldn't believe I was watching a guy shoot a balloon in less than a second in between building a forecast...they didn't teach that in school! I remember Stan calling the K-O right before the end of the newscast and telling them he was on his way and they would pop fresh popcorn for his ride home. Stan was a true TV giant who treated all us "green" kids with respect. I'll never forget Stan, there will never be anyone like him... OH...Stan's Sweets! I still can't believe how many postcards would come in for a box of candy. Another example of just how big a personality Stan was...he was truly something special.
Woody Morgan, former WVVA Sports Anchor: Stanley was simply an awesome man. His stories made my head swirl and I will always miss him. He was a man for all seasons and it is hard to detail what he meant to me. I am a better man for knowing him and he always told me, "your reward is in heaven." And this is where I will find him. I miss him. My condolences to Sylvi and his wonderful family.
Kevin McGraw, former WVVA News Director/Anchor: Make no mistake. Stan Sweet was a television icon. His presence and style helped develop what we no know as personality television. He was a gracious, eloquent, talented, gifted man, who brought joy, laughter and information to his audience. I'll never forget his kindness to me. When he retired from WVVA (the first, second or third time, I'm not sure!) we presented him with an engraved, pearl-handled, Walther PPK pistol -- James Bond style, that he loved. Shoot straight in Heaven, Stan, just as you did here on earth. We'll certainly miss you.
Mark Hughes, WVVA Photojournalist: Stan was always a class act!!! Legend is NOT to strong a word to describe my friend Stan!!!
Rest in peace buddy!!
Michael Haynes, former WVVA Meteorologist: Some fond memories of Stan, for me, include his quick wit and his knowledge of so many different things. He was quite a character. Definitely a wise man with a great sense of humor. He would give me advice regarding my shows, which meant more to me than he knew. He also introduced me to rifle and shotgun shooting and had me participate in shooting in one or two shooting contests....something I never would have imagined doing and it turned out to be great fun. Stan was just a great guy who, without his realizing it, was kind of like the grandfather I never had. I always enjoyed conversations with him. They were NEVER dull. I also remember him as a guy who had a lot of energy. He was always on the go. He also never minced words when it came to frustrations with the computers at work. He was funny in his own impatient way when it came to those computers. His knowledge of personal computers was lagging a bit when pc's were becoming more and more prevalent and had expressed his frustration with it, but I told him he'd have 'em figured out in no time with the extra time he had during the week (since he was semi-retired). His sharpness came through and he surpassed my skills with the latest technology at the time. I had no doubt that would happen and it did. Stan was just an all-around likeable, loveable guy. He loved his beautiful wife, Silvi, and he loved his dog. A true professional and a true friend.
Sheri Fritch McGraw, former WVVA News Anchor: I had the privilege of your insight, humor, encouragement, advice, and veteran knowledge of the business. Thanks for never treating me like to foolish 20-something greenhorn I was. We will miss you so much, Stan.
Ervin Griffin, WVVA Morning/Noon Director: When Stan Sweet is called a WVVA icon, that is a true statement! I remember as a viewer seeing him and his weather reports as a teen into a young adult for years. Then, when I came to work for WVVA in January of 2001, I actually got to meet the man himself. As animated as he was on TV, he was just as animated in person and full of life. Condolences to his wife and family. May his soul reside in heaven or (as he would say) "your reward is in heaven."
Feel free to leave your memories of watching Stan Sweet below:
