Family announces passing of former NBC4 meteorologist Bob Nunnally

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Nearly three years after he left the airwaves to focus on beating cancer, beloved former NBC4 meteorologist Bob Nunnally has died.

Nunnally died Sunday morning, the family said. He was 68.

"The family requests privacy during this difficult time as we grieve our loss and personally contact family members," a statement from Nunnally's family said. "Thank you for your understanding and kind thoughts."

Nunnally successfully beat pancreatic cancer earlier this year but had complications during his recovery period. He entered hospice care on Friday. In his bed, he was covered by one of his most treasured items, a custom-made blanket of favorite photos with his NBC4 colleagues.

"Bob's charismatic and endearing nature made a lasting and positive impact on so many central Ohio viewers," NBC4 Vice President and General Manager Larry Cottrill said. "His professionalism and dedication to central Ohioans, along with his limitless kindness to everyone who interacted with him, is an inspiration to us all."

Nunnally was part of the central Ohio media landscape for over 40 years. A Marion native, he joined radio station WNCI in 1977 and moved to WSNY in 1983, where he worked afternoons for 14 years and served at times as music director and assistant programming director. He was a substitute weathercaster for NBC4 and provided forecasts from 1994 to '97 for a 10 p.m. newscast the station produced for Columbus' WB affiliate.

He came to NBC4 full-time after that, earned his broadcast meteorological certificate and was seen for years letting central Ohioans know what to expect for the weekday ahead on NBC4 Today. In early 2022, he stepped away once he was diagnosed. The fight took years, with Nunnally revealing in May that he had been declared cancer-free.

"I thought ... I’d be back to work in a few months," he said. "Well, you can see that didn’t work out.”

Nunnally's warm voice was welcomed into the homes of NBC4 viewers for decades, and weather was just one of his many interests. He hosted segments showing off shelter pets available for adoption. He served on the boards of Life Care Alliance, the North Columbus YMCA, the Arthritis Foundation, the Jingle Bell Run and many others. He hosted multiple events around central Ohio, and every year he returned to his hometown for the Marion Popcorn Festival.

Nunnally shared multiple updates on his cancer fight over the years and to let viewers know how much he appreciated their continued notes and social media posts of support. In 2022, Al Roker gave a tribute on the Today Show after hearing about billboards that appeared around Columbus reading, "We're with you, Bob!"

"We are with you as well," Roker said. "Sending thoughts and prayers and a speedy recovery back to your NBC4 family. So, take care."

Nunnally updated NBC4 Today anchors Monica Day and Matt Barnes that June ahead of the Red, White & BOOM! fireworks show that was returning to Downtown after two years off because of the pandemic. NBC4 is a longtime sponsor of the show. And his updates continued that year on social media.

“I appreciate the prayers, and I appreciate the cards and the notes,” he said. “Sometimes the days, it’s so hard because I’m not where I want to be. And I get those little notes, or I get a card from someone or a little something on Facebook, and it just makes me feel that much better. “

The funeral will take place in Marion. Arrangements are pending.